Independent Custody Visitors (SP)

Independent Custody Visitors are members of the public recruited by the Police Authority to visit police stations at random to check on the treatment of people held in custody by the police.

As an Independent Custody Visitor you would have a vital role in ensuring the welfare of persons in police custody in Surrey. You will be assigned to a panel and, together with another Independent Custody Visitor, be asked to visit police stations in that panel area unannounced to check on the treatment of people being held in custody.

Time commitment:

An average of 3-5 hours per month.

Appointments last for 3 years.

There is no maximum length of service; custody visitors are re-appraised and appointments extended 3 year on 3 year.

Following a successful application and interview you would be required to attend an induction day, normally on a Saturday. In order to be considered as a visitor on a Surrey panel you would need to be either resident or to work in Surrey. SPA will not be recruiting until August 2011 although applications can be submitted well ahead of that date.

What skills do I need?

You must be over 18.

Own transport is needed (travel expenses will be paid).

No previous experience required.

You will need to be observant, impartial, able to record detail, and talk to people without judging.

Where there could be a conflict of interest (e.g. if you are also a magistrate) you will not be considered suitable.

A criminal record is not an automatic barrier; a police check will be conducted and applicants with a record will be carefully considered.