The scheme involves volunteers giving up their time to visit custody suites and check the correct procedures are being followed. The scheme offers protection to detainees and reassurance to the wider community.
The following police custody suites are inspected:
- Oldbury
- Perry Barr
- Wolverhampton
- Coventry
All custody visitors are aged 18 or over and live and/or work in the West Midlands. Before they undertake any visits they are vetted and undertake training. Once up and running they will work with one other person and begin making unannounced visits to police custody sites to check on the welfare of detainees.
They then produce a report and submit it to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office. The PCC will then act upon issues raised. The time commitment for a custody visitor is 2-3 hours per month. They are also expected to attend a quarterly panel and ad hoc training throughout the year.
There are currently no vacancies for custody visitor posts
