Sussex Police Authority -
Independent Custody Visitor Scheme

Independent Custody Visitors are members of the public recruited by the Police Authority to check on the welfare of people detained at Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing police custody centres.

What do they do?

Custody Visitors are appointed to one of the 6 panels, each made up of about 14 people responsible for visiting one of the custody centres. Whilst the Police Authority provides training and central support, the panel members themselves organise their unannounced visits, in pairs, on a rota basis, at any time of their own choosing. At the end of each visit the Custody Visitors report back to the Police Authority and to the police.

Custody Visitors are expected to make about 4 or 5 visits each year and to attend panel meetings with police and Police Authority representatives, usually held about every six months. Their unique status permits them to see for themselves the conditions in which detained people are held by the police, to speak with the detainees with their permission, and to provide an independent check that the police are carrying out their duties in respect of detainee's rights.

Who can be an Independent Custody Visitor in Sussex?

Independent Custody Visitors come from a variety of backgrounds and sections of the community. They must be over 18 and have no direct involvement in the criminal justice system, for example, serving police officers or special constables are not eligible. Other people such as solicitors or probation officers may be excluded, to prevent possible conflict of interests for the individual. These safeguards maintain the independence of the scheme as a whole. The work is unpaid, but travelling expenses are reimbursed.

How do I become an Independent Custody Visitor?

Contact Sussex Police Authority and ask to be sent an application form and further details of the scheme. Successful applicants are appointed after short listing and interview, following which initial training will be given.

Interested? For further information contact:

Natacha Skelton
Policy Officer
ICV Scheme Manager
Sussex Police Authority
County Hall
St Anne's Crescent
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1UE

Tel: 01273 481317
E-mail: natacha.skelton@sussexpa.gov.uk

Vacancies

We are not currently recruiting, but you are welcome to download and complete the application form, which will be kept on hold for future consideration when further vacancies arise.

General Background Information
Job Description
Person Specification

If you would like to complete the application process electronically, please download and complete:

EMAIL application form
EMAIL Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form