03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner meets with Independent Custody Visitors at Aberystwyth Custody Suite as part of volunteers’ week

It has been National Volunteers Week over the last week between the 1st and 7th of June, and during the week, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn linked up with some of his volunteers in Aberystwyth, who volunteer as Independent Custody Visitors.

 

Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are volunteers from the local community who visit police custody suites in pairs, unannounced, to check on the welfare of detainees and to ensure that their rights are upheld.

 

The volunteers then report any issues, if any, through a report to the PCC and these are looked at in order to make improvements.

 

On the 1st of June, the PCC joined the volunteers to shadow their work during a custody visit at Aberystwyth Police Station.

 

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said, “I was glad of the opportunity to meet with some of the ICVs in Ceredigion during this year’s volunteers’ week to shadow them for a custody visit at Aberystwyth Police Station.

 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICVs for the fantastic work they do to help ensure that detainees are treated fairly, and that our custody suites here in Dyfed-Powys offer a safe environment for all.

 

“It was reassuring to see that everything was in order and as it should be in the Aberystwyth custody suite, and that no issues were identified.”

 

In addition to the ICV volunteer groups the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office currently hosts another three volunteer schemes, which include, the Animal Welfare visitors, a Quality Assurance Panel, and the Youth Forum with Youth Ambassadors.

 

The Animal Welfare Scheme volunteers are members of the local community with experience of working dogs and professionals from animal welfare organisations. The welfare of police dogs is important; their handling must be effective, humane, ethical and transparent. Volunteers in my Animal Welfare Scheme observe, comment and report upon the welfare and condition under which police dogs are housed, trained, transported and deployed.

 

The Quality Assurance Panel review the quality of police contact with the public, in a transparent and independent manner, on behalf of our local communities.

 

The Panel have reviewed areas of Policing such as Use of Force incidents, Stop and Search incidents, Hate crimes, complaint cases, victim updates and 101 and 999 calls. This work is vital to ensure the highest of standards in Dyfed-Powys.

 

The Police and Crime Commissioner also has youth volunteers from various backgrounds who are part of the Youth Forum. The Commissioner will meet with the Youth Forum regularly to have their views on policing matters, and to ensure that their voice is heard.

 

The Office of Police and Crime Commissioner I Dyfed-Powys are currently looking for new Quality Assurance Panel members and ICVs to visit Brecon and Newtown custody suites. For further information on these schemes please visit: Volunteer Schemes (dyfedpowys-pcc.org.uk)

 

PCC Dafydd Llywelyn added: “Volunteers from all my volunteer group, play an important part in helping me to hold the Chief Constable to account and play an important role within the scrutiny function of my office. I am very grateful to every single person who volunteers to help me deliver these vital schemes such as the Independent Visitor’s Scheme.”

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