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So, after today’s events in the @metpoliceuk it’s important we speak about custody.
I am a custody Sgt, and have been for nearly 4 years, so kinda know what I’m talking about.
Buckle up....
I am a custody Sgt, and have been for nearly 4 years, so kinda know what I’m talking about.
Buckle up....
Custody is a harsh place for staff, detainees, solicitors, app adults, translators and more.
It is a sensory nightmare if you are Autistic or neuro diverse or in any way suffering with MH illness or crisis.
It is full of risk. Permanently.
It is micro managed and judged.
It is a sensory nightmare if you are Autistic or neuro diverse or in any way suffering with MH illness or crisis.
It is full of risk. Permanently.
It is micro managed and judged.
It is one of the hardest places in Policing to work.
Some detainees lie. Be that about drink, drugs, addiction, mental health and more.
Some officers are naive and fail to recognise issues. Some are just blasé.
None of this helps anyone.
Some detainees lie. Be that about drink, drugs, addiction, mental health and more.
Some officers are naive and fail to recognise issues. Some are just blasé.
None of this helps anyone.
Your knowledge as a Sgt is tested, time and time again.
Your ingenuity to resolve the case, investigation, manage the detainee, their issues, the victim, their rights, the law and more know no bounds.
Often you are more sided with the defence than the prosecution.
Your ingenuity to resolve the case, investigation, manage the detainee, their issues, the victim, their rights, the law and more know no bounds.
Often you are more sided with the defence than the prosecution.
Often you despair at the CPS and the outcomes suggested, which you are the responsible for mitigating, against an ever expanding IOPC / APP portfolio of risk / error.
You are responsible for detainees before they arrive & have anything to do with you.
You are responsible for detainees before they arrive & have anything to do with you.
You are responsible for detainees after they depart.
You are expected to be an interim medical expert in head injury, ABD, drug psychosis and more.
The pressure is exhausting & don’t forget to write it all down too.
Everything is your fault.
Everything.
You are expected to be an interim medical expert in head injury, ABD, drug psychosis and more.
The pressure is exhausting & don’t forget to write it all down too.
Everything is your fault.
Everything.
Please, take the time to read this blog from Michael Brown (unsure if his handle) and understand more of how tough a job this is.
I haven’t covered all, but hope this helps.
And please, please, search your detainees. https://mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/the-custody-sergeant/
I haven’t covered all, but hope this helps.
And please, please, search your detainees. https://mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/the-custody-sergeant/
If I’m in any way wrong / misguided with this, please let me know.
It’s a unique job, and all too often overlooked.
But really, it’s our detention officers who are the true heroes of custody - they make it work and are worth their weight in expensive precious metals!
It’s a unique job, and all too often overlooked.
But really, it’s our detention officers who are the true heroes of custody - they make it work and are worth their weight in expensive precious metals!
