Volunteers sought to join top team at custody suite
A RECRUITMENT campaign is under way to select a new throng of volunteers to be part of Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s awardwinning custody monitoring team.
An online information evening is being held on Tuesday, November 24, at 6pm to promote the volunteering opportunities available with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner including up to 10 positions with the county’s Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) Scheme.
The ICV scheme, which is run by Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa has led the nation in the launch of a new and innovative custody oversight system involving the retrospective review of police custody records concerning vulnerable detainees including those with mental health difficulties or those facing immigration charges.
This innovative approach to oversight has been recognised nationally, as members of Derbyshire’s Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme have recently received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest honour for volunteering in the UK.
Additionally, the Derbyshire Scheme conducts visits in a more observational way, allowing ICVS to take more time to observe their surroundings and report upon the culture, environment and wider processes underway in custody rather than merely interviewing detainees and recording their opinions, which is the traditional approach.
Mr Dhindsa said: “This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a nationally-respected team.
“Our ICV scheme is at the forefront of innovation and the work we do is being held as a beacon of success and best practice nationally.
“In the current climate of the Black Lives Matter movement to tackle disproportionality, those from BAME communities are actively encouraged to apply.
ICVS dedicate their own time to carry out unannounced visits to police custody facilities to ensure the rights’, entitlements and wellbeing of detainees are being adhered to. They report their findings to PCCS who have the responsibility of holding their force to account and requesting improvements in standards.
Earlier this year, Derbyshire’s scheme won a Platinum Award in the Independent Custody Visiting Association’s (ICVA) Quality Assurance Awards, representing excellence in the delivery of custody visiting and volunteer management.
Register your place and join the team online to find out more. The online event will be split into a presentation, providing information from the perspective of scheme managers and the current volunteers explaining what the role entails.
The question and answer session will be your chance to ask any questions you may have about the role or the application process.
Further information can also be found by visiting: www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/
If you have any queries or questions please email: pccoffice@ derbyshire.pnn.police.uk
Book your place at: https:// www. eventbrite. co. uk/ e/ independent- custody-visiting- informa t i o n - e v e n i n g - t i c k e t s - 126245041317?aff=ebdssbonlines earch