Merseyside’s Police Commissioner seeks volunteers for Independent Custody Visitor Role

Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, is calling on compassionate, community-minded individuals to step forward and volunteer for the Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme—an initiative that helps protect the welfare of people detained in police custody.

The Independent Custody Visitor scheme gives members of the public the opportunity to check on the wellbeing of those held in custody, ensuring that detainees are treated fairly and provided with their legal rights and entitlements.

ICVs must have good observational and thinking skills, strong ethical principles and be able to maintain confidentiality. They should also be comfortable challenging authority if required.

There are no qualifications needed but applicants must:

• Be over 18 years of age.
• Live or work in Merseyside.
• Be independent from the police, impartial and work in a non-discriminatory way.
• ICVs cannot be serving Magistrates, police officers, police community support officers (PCSO), special constables, police staff or OPCC staff.

Upon successful interview, volunteers will be required to undergo a non-police personnel level vetting check as well as receive full training in order to prepare them for their role.

All applicants should have the time and flexibility to carry out the role of custody visiting, making a minimum of one visit per month.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said: 

“Independent Custody Visitors perform a crucial role and it’s only right that this important work is carried out by volunteers from the local community.

“Detainees are potentially vulnerable and visits by our ICV volunteers are a key protection for them, ensuring their legal entitlements and rights are respected.

“This is a volunteering opportunity like no other, through which volunteers can gain a unique insight into how our police service operates and play their part in promoting the highest standards of service by assessing the effectiveness of Merseyside Police.”

“This is a hugely interesting and rewarding role and I am looking for compassionate, community-spirited people, from any background and from all sections of our community, who believe in upholding standards and care about the treatment of others.”

The ICV Chair, Ruth Rogers said: 

“As an Independent Custody Visitor, I help to ensure people in detention are treated fairly and decently whoever they are and whatever they have done.

“For many detainees, it is a difficult environment, and they may be very vulnerable for many different reasons. We can play a small part in making the situation easier.

“I would encourage anyone who has an interest in justice to consider volunteering.”

Find out more about the Independent Custody Visitor role and apply here.

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