PFCC Team hosts Independent Custody Visitors at conference
Last Saturday (21st October 2023) the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner team hosted the Independent Custody Scheme Regional Conference at the Hamptons in Chelmsford.
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who volunteer to visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment and welfare of people held in police custody.
At the conference attendees representing schemes from all around the eastern region were able to take part in workshops, share best practice and hear from a lived experience speaker.
Possibly top of the bill were the ECFRS fire dogs who proved a huge hit with delegates, presenters, and the police cadets who helped provide fantastic support on the day.
Essex ICV Scheme Manager Kasia Grabka said “The conference was a great way to meet and share ideas with ICV counterparts across the eastern region. The feedback from the day was extremely positive.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to the Essex Police Cadets, to Graham Currie and the fire dogs from the Fire and Rescue Service, and to all our speakers and attendees – some of whom battled through flooding and traffic jams to be there.”
You can find out more about the Essex ICV Scheme and the important work volunteers do to provide scrutiny and oversight of the welfare of detainees held in police custody here: https://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/giving-you-a-voice/independent-custody-visiting/
