Skip to content

Independent Custody Visitors

The main area that people can volunteer with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is as an independent custody visitor (ICV).

Belonging to the custody visiting scheme is a way to volunteer for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as a member of the public and help your community to be safe, resilient, and connected. 

Independent custody visitors (ICVs) must be 18 years old or over and must be independent of the police service. For this reason, serving police officers and others who work in the criminal justice system such as police staff, special constables, lay justices, or members of the police and crime panel cannot undertake this role.

Visitors must live or work in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and have been resident in the UK for the three years prior to application. 

Watch the video below to find out more about Independent Custody Visitors.

  • Each visit to a custody centre can take between half an hour to two hours. Volunteers visit during the morning, day, or night. Visitors arrange the start time of the visit themselves and in accordance with a roster.

    Custody centres include Exeter, Torquay, Plymouth, Barnstaple, Newquay, and Camborne. Visitors visit their closest two stations. Out of pocket expenses including travel costs are refunded. You may be asked to make one to two visits a month.