A panel that ensures independent oversight of custody processes in Northamptonshire now has twenty members.
The Custody Detention Scrutiny Panel, launched earlier this year, is made up of a diverse group of community representatives and professionals aged from 16-85 coming together to ensure that people in custody in Northamptonshire are treated fairly.
Also present at the panel meetings is Deputy, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Marianne Kimani, who introduced the panel, staff members from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone’s office, and senior police officers who oversee custody.
The panel meet regularly to review cases relating to a range of custody-related practices, including use of force, remand in custody, use of anti-rip clothing and responses to mental wellbeing.
The newly formed panel has had two meetings so far, both of which have focused on reviewing cases where detainees were strip searched in custody, covering both adults and juveniles. The aim of the panel was to review the cases and consider whether the justification to strip search individuals was appropriate.
Across the two meetings, the panel agreed that the justification for strip search was both appropriate and compliant with Northamptonshire Police’s policy in all twelve cases that were reviewed.
Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Marianne Kimani introduced the panel earlier this year to bring independent scrutiny and give feedback that will improve services where required.
She said: “It is so important that we have an independent platform to hold police to account for their actions should we need to. The public need to be able to trust that police powers are executed fairly and ethically. The panel is helping to ensure that they are and make changes where they are not.
“Strip searches are a highly sensitive subject, which is why it was vital that each of these cases brought forward were highly scrutinised. It was a relief, and I was very pleased that after great consideration that all cases we covered were justified.”
Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet added: “Through the NPCC Custody Portfolio, we strongly encourage all forces to establish Custody Detention Scrutiny Panels for several reasons.
“They provide a rare opportunity for the community to scrutinise some of the most challenging aspects of policing, such as the strip search of children, whilst holding the police to account. This helps build trust and confidence in policing, and in an area that is generally unseen.
“For the police, it gives a real insight into the views of the public from a diverse group of people.
“The ability to have an open conversation about the rationale for why a strip search for instance was conducted, gives a unique insight and ‘temperature check’ that what we are doing, is what the public expect and want us to do.
“It also provides an opportunity to identify what is being done well, and what can be improved up, to ensure the highest standards are upheld.”
