Overview
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Independent Custody Visitors are local people who volunteer to check on people being held by the police (detainees)
- Carry out custody visits, without warning, to check on the conditions in which a detainee is kept, their health and wellbeing and their legal rights and entitlements
- Discuss with the custody officer any concerns and requests arising from the custody visit
- Highlight to Custody Officers any concerns, requests or issues that need to be dealt with
- Complete and distribute a report form after each visit
- There are two Police Investigation Centres in Suffolk – one in Bury St Edmunds and one in Martlesham, Ipswich.
Benefits
- Give something back to your community
- Share your skills and experience
- Volunteering can advance your career
- Meet people and make new friends
- Volunteering can bring fun and fulfilment to your life
- Volunteers bring fresh ideas, raise concerns and can suggest solutions
Annual Report 2024-2025
You can learn more about the work of the Independent Custody Visitors in our Annual Report.
How to apply
To be an Independent Custody Visitor you are asked to complete an application form, and if your application is successful you will be invited to attend an interview.
If successful, you will be appointed and supported with initial and on-going training. As a visitor you will be expected to visit a Police Investigation Centre approximately once a month along with another Independent Custody Visitor, as visits are always made in pairs.
Travelling expenses are paid to all Independent Custody Visitors.
If you have any queries please e-mail spcc@suffolk.police.uk
