SCHEME FOR CUSTODY VISITING TO POLICE STATIONS IN LINCOLNSHIRE

Section 5 - Recruitment and Conditions of Service

Recruitment

45. The Police Authority is responsible for recruiting, selecting and appointing independent custody visitors. The Authority will ensure that adequate numbers of suitably accredited and trained visitors are available at all times and throughout the county to carry out the required programme of visits. Each of the ten stations included in the scheme is currently served by four local visiting panels each consisting of a minimum eight visitors.
    
    
46. Representatives of the local community will be recruited through advertising in the local media, targeting of specific groups, such as local community organisations, police/community consultative groups, via the newsletters of voluntary organisations, churches and other religious groups. Word of mouth recommendations remain a legitimate source for potential visitors, but care will be taken to ensure that this does not lead to an imbalance through existing visitors recommending people from similar backgrounds to themselves.
    
    
47. The Authority will aim to provide a suitable balance for visiting panels in terms of factors such as age, gender and ethnicity. This inclusive approach will also extend to those with disabilities and those who do not have English as their first language. All reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate applicants in these categories where they are considered suitable candidates.
    
    
48. Prospective visitors should be independent persons of good character who are able to make informed judgements in which the community can have confidence and which the police will accept as fair criticism when it is justified.
    
    

Selection

49. Persons enquiring about appointments to the scheme will be sent basic information covering the purpose of independent custody visiting, the role of the visitor, the commitment required and the terms and conditions applicable to the scheme. This material will accompany the job description and the application form.
    
    
50. Selections will be made through a sift of applications on the basis of the agreed person specification. Appointments will be confirmed subject to satisfactory references, police vetting checks to verify information provided about criminal convictions, and the successful completion of an initial training day.
    
    
51. The selection panel will record the reasons for decisions about appointments to demonstrate fairness and in providing, if asked, any necessary feedback to those who have been unsuccessful.
    
    
52. Persons who have unspent convictions for criminal offences may not be suitable. Relevant factors will include the nature and number of any offences and how long ago they were committed. However, past offending will not be an automatic barrier to acceptance as a visitor and each case will be considered individually. Having regard to the above, prospective custody visitors will be asked to declare any such convictions, other than those which are spent by reason of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
    
    
53. In appointing visitors, it is also important to avoid any potential conflict of interest. Serving police staffs are unsuitable for that reason, as are special constables. In accordance with the stated policy of the Council of the Magistrates' Association, Justices of the Peace will not be considered for participation in the scheme. Persons in these categories who have left or retired from the relevant duties for at least 5 years, may be considered for appointment.
    
    
54. Applications from others involved with the criminal justice system will be considered on an individual basis. For example, solicitors and members of the probation service may find the duties of a visitor conflicting with their professional responsibilities. However, there is no hard and fast rule in such cases and each application will be looked at on its individual merits, having regard to the public service principle of being seen to be independent and impartial.
    
    
55. Members of the Police Authority may not serve as visitors themselves. The essential feature of independent custody visiting is that it draws its volunteers from the community at large and there is an obvious difficulty with police authority members carrying out visits which should be conducted independently and form the basis of reports to them in their formal role.
    
    
56. Persons who act as Appropriate Adults and/or Lay Observers appointed under the Criminal Justice Act 1991, may not also serve as visitors as the duelling of such roles could lead to a blurring of responsibilities and raise conflict of interest issues.
    
    

Basis of service

57. Newly appointed visitors will require a clear understanding of the expectations on them and of the support which the Police Authority will provide. Each visitor will receive a written Memorandum of Understanding which will summarise the agreed responsibilities and legitimate expectations of both parties.
    
    
58. Each visitor will be provided with an identification card on appointment which will function as their approval to visit any police station included within the scheme. Identification cards will need to be worn visibly on the visitors outer clothing when on police premises.
    
    

Tenure

59. Whilst visitors must be at least 18 years of age, the Home Office does not recommended any upper age limit.
    
    
60. Appointments will initially be made for four years (confirmed following satisfactory completion of a minimum probationary period of six months), with a full review of continuing suitability at the end of that time. Subject to that review, reappointment will be permissible provided the visitor has been a reserve member, or has left the scheme, for a period of two years or more.
    
    

Removal

61. The removal of a visitor from the Authority's accredited list is usually considered either because of misconduct or poor performance. Misconduct may include such matters as a conviction for a criminal offence or abusing the position of a visitor by failing to act in accordance with agreed guidance and expectations. Poor performance can relate, for example, to a failure to attend for visits or to complete adequate reports.
    
    
62. The procedure for considering possible removal will follow the principles of natural justice. The Scheme Administrator will notify the visitor concerned of the grounds on which removal is being considered and advise them that they can make oral or written representations or both. There will also be an avenue of appeal to the Authority itself. No one who heard the initial case for removal will be party to the appeal process.
    
    

Complaints

63. Complaints against individual visitors may come from a number of sources including detainees, police personnel or others who may come into contact with them in the course of their duties. Depending on their seriousness, these will often be appropriately dealt with by the Scheme Administrator or by the Authority where appropriate. Clear feedback relating to the resolution of any complaint will be made available to both the visitor concerned and the complainant.
    
    
64. Visitors who wish to complain about their treatment by police personnel, their general role and conditions or any other matters relevant to their work will do so in the first instance to the Scheme Administrator.
    
    

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Independent Custody Visiting