Long-serving Independent Custody Visitors retire
Volunteer Luciana Copping, who has spent over 15 years checking on the welfare of people detained in custody, attended a special retirement presentation at the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office in Wymondham.
Luciana joined the scheme in 2008 where she visited detainees at Great Yarmouth Police Station before moving to the new Police Investigation Centre at Thamesfield Way in Great Yarmouth.
Luciana said: “The time has gone really quickly and I can’t believe it’s over 15 years I’ve been an ICV. It is such an interesting role, and you never know what you will see when you arrive as it is different every time.
“The detained people we saw were always grateful of a visit and that somebody was taking an interest in their situation. Lots of people in custody are quite vulnerable and it is important that you take time to speak to them and listen to what they say. It has also been nice working with other ICVs and making new friendships.”
Earlier this month, the PCC’s Office bid a fond farewell to Independent Custody Visitor Ian Stevenson after five years of service at the Aylsham panel.
Ian Stevenson and CEO Mark Stokes
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Giles Orpen-Smellie, said: “On behalf of the PCC’s office, I would like to give my thanks to Luciana and Ian for their longstanding service and dedication. This type of scrutiny on policing goes unsung and yet our Independent Custody Visitors go out, sometimes in the middle of night, to check detainees are being looked after and treated appropriately.
“These volunteers have put duty before their own convenience, and we are forever grateful. I would like to wish them both a much-deserved retirement from what has been a truly remarkable long-serving commitment.”
During the financial year 2022/23, Norfolk’s team of 20 ICVs carried out over 200 checks at one of the county’s four Police Investigation Centres (PICs) in King’s Lynn, Aylsham, Great Yarmouth and Wymondham.
Ahead of the national Police and Crime Commissioner elections, which will take place on 2 May 2024, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners visited our Police Investigation Centre at Wymondham and interviewed two of our ICVs, Tracey and Lindsey, to showcase the work of the PCC office.