Volunteers sought to scrutinise police custody
The independent custody visitors will hold Durham Constabulary and the Chief Constable to account and help increase trust and confidence in policing services, Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said.
During unannounced visits to the new Durham Investigative Hub, near Spennymoor, the volunteers will check detentions standards across custody suits and ensure detainees are receiving the appropriate care.
Allen said the volunteers would "play a critical role in driving further improvements".
Issues identified will be raised with the custody sergeant and included in a report which is sent to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
"Our new cohort of volunteers will play a critical role in driving further improvements in our processes and procedures to ensure Durham not only delivers the very best quality of care to detainees but is held aloft as a beacon of good practice nationally," Allen said.
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