Volunteer, 74, aims to bring more human face to policing

A GRANDMOTHER of three who spent decades in public service has developed a new voluntary career with South Yorkshire Police Authority, checking on the conditions in custody cells.

Sheila Barnes, 74, is one of with the police authority as an Independent Custody Visitor (ICV).

ICVs make unannounced visits to police stations across the region to check on the rights, health and welfare of people being held in police cells, as well as the conditions of the detention facilities.

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Mrs Barnes, from Warmsworth in Doncaster, said: “I read about the ICV scheme in 2005 and felt compelled to find out more information and then volunteer.

“I am now a convenor on one of the panels, which means I produce the rota for the visits and am the first point of contact for all the ICVs on the panel.”

ICVs make unannounced visits at random times and, at the end of their duties, complete a short report.

Before her retirement, Mrs Barnes worked as a nurse, a theatre sister and a health visitor.

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She said: “Because of my professional background, I have had personal experience of people with mental health issues and so a major concern for me is to try and make sure people are in suitable accommodation and being treated properly.

“When people are detained for immigration purposes, they may have had bad experiences of the police in their own country and you can sometimes see the fear in their eyes.

“I hope the ICV scheme helps bring a more human face to policing, especially as we are not in uniform.

“An ICV might be the only person that a detainee sees other than the police during their time in custody, and some of them tell us a visit from us can break up the boredom and isolation for them.

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South Yorkshire Police Authority currently has 36 ICVs visiting custody suites in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley.

Sally Parkin, principal policy officer at South Yorkshire Police Authority, said: “ICVs allow an independent scrutiny of force procedures and the allocation of appropriate resources which is a key role in the authority’s monitoring of South Yorkshire Police.

“ICVs like Sheila make a real difference to both detainees and the police, and reassurance to the community at large.”

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