One of our newest custody visitors, Emma gives an insight into how she is finding the role, the support she has received and why it is important to her.
I applied for the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s Custody Visiting scheme following the completion of a Citizens’ Academy ran by West Mercia Police. This really sparked my interest into the world of policing and the incredible hard work that takes place ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure the safety of our communities.
Upon successfully being appointed as a Custody Visitor I was highly impressed by the training opportunities, support networks and progression paths that were available. As a full-time Marketing Manager, for many months I had tried and failed to find voluntary positions in the West Midlands that were accessible to me. All of the voluntary roles I had previously applied for required commitment to several days of training which were scheduled in working hours, which was unachievable for me. In contrast to this, the Custody Visitor scheme involved training days and meetings that were scheduled to suit all Custody Visitors – which is a wonderful and unique asset to the scheme.
Six months into the role, I have found my time as a Custody Visitor interesting, insightful and incredibly rewarding. The scheme has allowed me to meet and network with like-minded individuals, add value to my CV and learn a range of new skills that are transferrable to both my work and home life. Most of all it has given me a great satisfaction to know that our work has a positive impact on ensuring that the most vulnerable people in our society have a voice.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Custody Visitor scheme to anyone who wants to get to know their community better, access a real insight into the world of policing and make a difference to the lives of others.
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