Geoff

I’m a retired primary school headteacher who now volunteers as an independent custody visitor.

Every month I pair up with another volunteer and we visit the people being held in custody at Copy Lane police station in Sefton. We ask for their views on how they are being treated and if they need anything in particular.

It’s an important way for the police to be transparent and accountable, and all ICVs report back into the police and crime commissioner for Merseyside.

I’ve been volunteering in all kinds of ways since 1975. I see it as a public duty to help in any way I can.

When I was Mayor of St Helens in 2012 it was very evident that volunteers are key to so many organisations and services which wouldn’t be able to exist without them, so it is really important that people do.

For more information about volunteers like Geoff visit Independent Custody Visitors: Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner (merseysidepcc.info)