< Back to National Standards

E. Training

Responsibility for training

1. The basic responsibility for training lies with the police authority and a structured plan with clear objectives should be developed in consultation with the police service and the independent custody visiting community.

Codes of Practice para 29 sets out the statutory requirements.

ICVA is a very useful source of training support and documentation. They may be in a position to contribute directly to meeting specific training needs and can provide advice on best practice derived from their extensive experience in training independent custody visitors across the whole range of knowledge and skills.

Structure and Contents

The necessary training can be divided into three broad areas:

Initial Training

2. This should cover the basic knowledge and skills required to effectively carry out independent custody visits. It is likely to require a minimum of one whole day, supported by appropriate pre-reading. Key contents should include:

• The purpose of and background to independent custody visiting
• The relevant aspects of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and of its associated Code C covering Detention, Treatment and Questioning
• Current Home Office statutory requirements
• National standards
• Local guidance, conditions of service and working practices
• The basic practicalities of conducting independent custody visits
• Communication skills to assist effective contact with detainees and custody staff
• Equal opportunities and race awareness issues
• Health and Safety issues
• Data protection considerations
• The Police Complaints System.

ICVA is a very useful source of training support and documentation. To assist police authorities and independent custody visitors ICVA has:

• Developed a multimedia modular training package, which can be tailored to suit local schemes
• Produced a training DVD demonstrating the custody visiting process
• Designed a student workbook on CD, which includes all of the key contents
• Created a trainer’s guide and a checklist / aide-memoir to assist visitors when carrying out their visits

Central administrators and local co-ordinators are likely to have a substantial role in delivery. However, police personnel can also make a significant input to training, particularly those involved in the custody environment and who understand the issues and procedures independent custody visitors will be addressing. The same applies to medical and other specialist staff who contribute to custody care.

Induction Training

3. It will be useful for the memorandum of understanding agreed between the police authority and new independent custody visitors to include references to training arrangements and to a six-month probationary period during which experience will be acquired in a supportive environment. Only once that initial period has been successfully completed should full independent custody visitor status be granted.

Codes of Practice para 23 sets out the statutory requirements with regard to probation of visitors.

To assist police authorities and independent custody visitors ICVA has developed a number of advanced scenarios which are available through its website (www.icva.org.uk) which will assist in induction training.

The probationary period should consist of induction training based around carrying out visits in tandem with experienced colleagues. This will involve developing and consolidating skills at the police station, as well as discussing practical issues and difficulties after visits have been completed. Again, there should be some focus on the Health and Safety aspects of the visiting process.

Continuous Training

4. There is always scope to refresh and enhance training and there may be specific issues to address in relation to changing legal, procedural and Health and Safety requirements, developing best practice or practical issues emerging from the visiting process.

Conferences and other gatherings organised by the ICVA are a further opportunity to benefit from others’ knowledge and experience. To assist police authorities and independent custody visitors ICVA has developed a number of advanced scenarios which are available through its website (www.icva.org.uk)

Regular meetings between groups of independent custody visitors provide an opportunity to share information and experience. ICVA produces a quarterly magazine, Visiting Times, to keep visitors informed of related issues to the process and containing articles of interest.

Evaluating Training

5. The police authority must evaluate the effectiveness of training and the extent to which it is achieving its objectives.

Codes of Practice para 30 sets out the statutory requirements.

The extent to which overall training objectives are being achieved should be tested by examining its impact on the visiting process at police stations. Those responsible for training should seek feedback from both recipients and those delivering it.

ICVA has a training evaluation sheet to assess feedback from students who attend its initial training sessions.

F. Frequency and Coverage

1. The police authority should liase with the chief constable about the frequency with which visits should be carried out.

2. Visits must be sufficiently regular to support the effectiveness of the system, but not so frequent as to unreasonably interfere with the work of the police.

3. The frequency of visits must be monitored against expectations and reported to the police authority at regular intervals.

4. Where insufficient visits are taking place the causes should be investigated and corrective action taken.

5. Consideration must be given to making visits to all police stations where detainees are held, even where they are only accommodated for relatively short periods of time.

6. Visits will generally be less frequent in such cases, but that will depend on local circumstances.

7. There may be occasions when a special visit is justified in agreement with the police. For example, when there is particular tension within the local community about the treatment or well being of someone in detention. Local groups should be ready to consider and respond to such requests from the police.

8. Where there has been a death in police custody, the police authority must be informed as soon as possible. Consideration will then need to be given to whether a visit would be helpful in terms of informing and reassuring the local community. If it is agreed that a visit should be made it should be on the basis of a clear understanding as to how that feedback to the community will be achieved. Any visit following a death in custody or some other major incident should not be allowed to interfere with any relevant investigation which may be taking place. There may be circumstances in which the senior investigating officer dealing with such an incident needs to refuse or restrict access to particular areas.

Codes of Practice paras 31-34 set out the statutory requirements.

9. Establishing and maintaining a programme of frequent visits is fundamental to the effectiveness of the system. Infrequent visiting is unsatisfactory in terms of community reassurance, building appropriate relationships with police staff and developing independent custody visitors' relevant skills.

G. Working Arrangements

1. This section covers a series of issues linked to the process of carrying out visits at police stations. It focuses on general principles and more detailed practical guidance is available from ICVA - info@icva.org.uk

Find out more

If you are interested in becoming an Independent Custody Visitor in your area, please contact your local police authority