Commissioner thanks custody volunteers in Carlisle

This was to thank them for the role they play in making police custody transparent and ensuring those detained by the police, are treated fairly.

ICVs are members of the public who give up their own time to make unannounced visits to police custody suites.

They independently deliver checks on detainees to see if they have been treated fairly, with dignity and are held in conditions that are safe.

The ICVs provide reassurance to the public that police officers and staff are doing everything they should be within the custody environment.

Commissioner, David Allen said: “As someone who has worked as a Custody Sergeant in my time as a Police Officer and dealt with ICV’s in the past, it was interesting to listen to the experiences and insights of our ICVs that were visiting custody today.

“It is incredibly positive that we are fortunate enough to have such a strong team of 41 ICV volunteers and I would like to thank them for giving up their time so willingly.

“Engaging in volunteer work creates the opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, develops personal skills, and empowers people to reach their full potential.

“Our ICV volunteers lend their valuable skills and time in order to reassure the public that detainees in custody are treated fairly.

"They also play a crucial role in reporting the outcomes of their visits to my office, which ensures that any concerns found are acted upon appropriately by senior staff with responsibility for custody.

"We don’t stand still in policing, there is always room for improvement and the work of the ICVs forms a vital part of that improvement journey.

“I would like to extend my very genuine, personal thanks to each of our volunteers for their commitment to this vital role.

"We simply would not be as good, nor have as rich a picture of what we do and how to make it work better without our fantastic volunteers."