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29/04/2009
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.
The volunteer scheme, which operates throughout Northern Ireland, is designed to monitor how people who are held in police custody are treated.
NI Policing Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea emphasised the importance of the voluntary work they do: "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 visitors and in administering the scheme which is designed to safeguard the rights and entitlements of those in custody," he said.
Speaking about the operation and unique nature of the Scheme, Lead Member on Custody Visiting Mary McKee said: "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 Policing Board on what they have found in the custody area.
"By their very nature they are independent of the Police Service and work voluntarily," she continued.
Custody visiting is a unique role and means giving 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 and I would encourage people to consider contributing to our policing structures through this role," Ms McKee concluded.
For information email: custodyvisiting@nipolicingboard.org.uk
(BMcC/JM)
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.
The volunteer scheme, which operates throughout Northern Ireland, is designed to monitor how people who are held in police custody are treated.
NI Policing Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea emphasised the importance of the voluntary work they do: "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 visitors and in administering the scheme which is designed to safeguard the rights and entitlements of those in custody," he said.
Speaking about the operation and unique nature of the Scheme, Lead Member on Custody Visiting Mary McKee said: "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 Policing Board on what they have found in the custody area.
"By their very nature they are independent of the Police Service and work voluntarily," she continued.
Custody visiting is a unique role and means giving 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 and I would encourage people to consider contributing to our policing structures through this role," Ms McKee concluded.
For information email: custodyvisiting@nipolicingboard.org.uk
(BMcC/JM)
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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.
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Policing Board scores well but public lack information
A survey published on the public's perception of the Policing Board has shown that the Board have scored well, but that some of the recent high-profile changes made under the Patton recommendations have fared less well. The area of District Policing Partnerships in particular proved puzzling to those polled.
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New police training college gets go ahead
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