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04/09/2007
NI Policing Board Seeks Custody Visitors
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has launched a campaign to recruit Custody Visitors to join the Board’s Custody Visiting Scheme.
The volunteer scheme, which operates throughout Northern Ireland, is a means of monitoring how people who are held in police custody are treated.
Policing Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea emphasised the importance of the work they do in relation to policing: "Custody visitors carry out a vital role in ensuring public confidence in how the police treat people held in custody. The Policing Board is responsible for the appointment of the Custody Visitors and administrating the scheme, which is designed to safeguard the rights and entitlements of those in custody. By their very nature the Independent Custody Visitors are independent of the Police Service and work voluntarily to visit designated police stations."
Custody Visitors work in teams and make unannounced visits to designated police stations in their area in pairs. They look, listen and report back to the Policing Board on what they have found in the custody area.
Sir Desmond said: "Custody visiting is a fairly unique role; to give up time freely to ensure that those in custody are being treated correctly and are having access to their rights in line with human rights principles is to be applauded. It is important that all members of our community play their part to make sure that we are operating a just and accountable society. We all have a role and I would encourage people to consider contributing to our policing structures. It is also an important additional way that the Policing Board ensures that we all have an effective, efficient and impartial Police Service."
There are currently 60 custody visitors who carry out this volunteering role.
(SB/SP)
The volunteer scheme, which operates throughout Northern Ireland, is a means of monitoring how people who are held in police custody are treated.
Policing Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea emphasised the importance of the work they do in relation to policing: "Custody visitors carry out a vital role in ensuring public confidence in how the police treat people held in custody. The Policing Board is responsible for the appointment of the Custody Visitors and administrating the scheme, which is designed to safeguard the rights and entitlements of those in custody. By their very nature the Independent Custody Visitors are independent of the Police Service and work voluntarily to visit designated police stations."
Custody Visitors work in teams and make unannounced visits to designated police stations in their area in pairs. They look, listen and report back to the Policing Board on what they have found in the custody area.
Sir Desmond said: "Custody visiting is a fairly unique role; to give up time freely to ensure that those in custody are being treated correctly and are having access to their rights in line with human rights principles is to be applauded. It is important that all members of our community play their part to make sure that we are operating a just and accountable society. We all have a role and I would encourage people to consider contributing to our policing structures. It is also an important additional way that the Policing Board ensures that we all have an effective, efficient and impartial Police Service."
There are currently 60 custody visitors who carry out this volunteering role.
(SB/SP)
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29 April 2009
Monitors Sought For PSNI Custody Facilities
Volunteers are being sought to fill an important role as NI police custody visitors. The Northern Ireland Policing Board has this week commenced a campaign to recruit a number of these official monitors to join the Board's existing visiting scheme.
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16 May 2002
Drive to recruit staff to check police custody procedures
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has launched a recruitment drive to attract people to a post which would involve scrutinising police holding procedures.
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12 October 2004
DPP support reinforces police work: Murphy
The new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland have been reinforced by the creation of District Policing Partnerships and enhanced by the calibre of the men and women who serve on them, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said.
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28 July 2003
Police custody suites broadly ‘satisfactory’
Independent inspectors have found that the conditions inside PSNI custody suites are, in general, entirely satisfactory, the Northern Ireland Policing Board have announced.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
