Independent Custody Visitors
- Who are independent custody visitors?
- How are independent custody visitors selected and trained?
- When and where are visits made?
- What happens when independent custody visitors make a visit?
- Reporting procedures
- Custody Visiting Guidelines
1. Who are independent custody visitors?
Independent custody visitors are members of the local community who visit police stations
unannounced to check on the treatment of detainees and the conditions
in which they are held and that their rights and entitlements are being
observed. Subject to certain exceptions anyone is eligible to apply for
appointment as a custody visitor. There are approximately 60 Independent
Custody Visitors in the Authority area.
2. How are independent custody visitors selected and trained?
Volunteers wishing to become independent
custody visitors need to complete an application form which is returned
to the Central Scheme Administrator. A shortlisting and interview process
is undertaken and successful applicants need to attend a one day induction
training session. Ongoing relevant training is also provided.
3. When and where are visits made?
Independent custody visitors visit
police stations in pairs. The actual timing of visits is entirely a matter
for independent custody visitors, but should be random and unannounced.
Exeter, Barnstaple, Torquay, Plymouth, Camborne, Newquay and Launceston
Police Stations are visited at least 3 times a month by different pairs
of custody visitors. A further 9 police stations are visited twice
a year.
4. What happens when independent custody
visitors make a visit?
Independent custody visitors must maintain their independence and impartiality.
They do not take sides but look, listen and report on what they find in
the custody unit. On arrival at the police station, independent custody visitors
will be escorted to the custody area. The detainees will be identified by
their custody numbers and strict rules of confidentiality will apply.
5. Reporting procedures
A report is completed after each visit. It provides an insight into the
running of the custody area at the time of the visit. Copies of the reports
are provided for the police and the Police Authority. Appropriate action
will be taken to address any matter identified during a custody visit.
6. Custody Visiting Guidelines and Annual Reports
Annual Report 2009
Size = 2.75 MB-
Independent Custody Visting Bi-annual Report 2009
Size = 1.06 MB -
Download the Custody Visiting Guidelines
Size = 1.05 MB -
Download the Independent Custody Visiting Annual Report 2008
Size = 7.70 MB 
Download the Independent Custody Visiting Annual Report 2007
Size = 7.70 MB-
Download the Independent Custody Visiting Annual Report 2006
-
Download the Independent Custody Visiting Annual Report 2005
-
Please note: Documents may be stored in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, visit
the Adobe website for a free download. If you experience problems
downloading a document, complete
this online form that will allow us to email it to you.
Are you interested in becoming a custody visitor? Use this online form to contact us directly.