Annual Seminar recognises the importance of Independent Custody Visitors
11 November 2021
Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones has praised the work of volunteers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who give up their time to ensure the rights and entitlements of those held in police custody are respected.
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment of detainees, the conditions in which they are being held and that their rights and entitlements are being observed.
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s ICVs came together at their annual seminar on 9th November. At the event they heard from Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, Sherry Ralph, Chief Operating Officer at the Independent Custody Visitors Association (ICVA) and Inspector Tony Maggs from Hampshire Constabulary.
Donna Jones said:
“I would like to thank all the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ICVs for the fantastic job they are doing, between them have they have clocked up an impressive 250 hours of volunteering over the past year.
“Thousands of people pass through Hampshire Constabulary’s custody suites each year. It is paramount that the safety of detainees and the conditions in which they are kept are checked and that we ensure their rights and entitlements are respected. People held in detention may be vulnerable and these checks provide an opportunity to ensure that the conditions in which they are held are suitable. ICV volunteers play a vitally important role in ensuring appropriate standards are met and where failings are noted, appropriate action is taken to resolve them. ”
Anyone wishing to become an ICV needs to complete an application form which is returned to the Scheme Administrator. A shortlisting and interview process is undertaken and successful applicants need to attend a one day training session. Ongoing training is provided. Please contact opcc@hampshire.police.uk if you are interested in becoming an ICV.
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