Commissioner calls for volunteers

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner is recruiting volunteers for the Independent Custody Visiting scheme.

Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) make random visits at anytime of the day or night to Greater Manchester Police’s ten custody suites to check on the welfare of detainees and the conditions of the custody facilities.

The visits are an important safeguard in ensuring the welfare of detainees. The volunteers look at a number of issues from the treatment of prisoners and behaviour of custody staff to the effectiveness of custody processes and report their findings to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.

This scheme allows the Commissioner to monitor and scrutinise the police in this area and also explore and resolve any potential problems raised by the volunteers during their visits.

David Wallworth has been an Independent Custody Visitor for almost ten years and says every custody visit is different.

“Our role is to make sure the detainees have been made fully aware of their rights and to check on their welfare. A visit can take 30 minutes or two hours, but when you leave you know are doing something worthwhile which is why I became a volunteer in the first place.”

“Carrying out regular inspections ensures that GMP’s custody processes and policies are effective and our feedback helps to improve the service provided by the Force."

To find out more and request an application pack call 0161 604 7711 or visit gmpcc.org.uk. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2013.