Does anyone work in police custody?

[Charl58]

Hi, thanks in advance for your time. I'm looking for some advice if possible.

I have an interview for West Midlands Police working as a Detention/Escort Officer and just wondering if anyone currently does this job and enjoys it? Is there any opportunity to progress?

I understand the duties of the role, just wondering if this would he a safe job for a female?

Any insight to a typical day would be greatly appreciated 🙂

I work closely with this job role.
Yes, it's safe for a woman to a point, but be prepared to fight with people, be abused, shouted at etc....
There isn't a lot of upward movement as a DO, unless you go into management. Most people use it as a starting point for hoping the police or going into other law based careers, or the prison service.

It is a very time based job - you have to check your detainees at set times - either half hourly or hourly. Feed them, ensure all the paperwork is done for transfers and court between doing the checks then inputting them into the computer.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I have worked in the NHS for over 10 years so do experience being shouted at and abuse from mostly IV drug users. In regards to fighting I hope to not be involved in any of that? Surely I would imagine if you treat detainees with respect they shouldn't want to harm you right? I'd be more interested in trying to build a positive rapport with them ect? Is it a supportive environment if those incidences do arise? TIA 🙂

I think I'd be worried about working with people who behave inappropriately towards the people you are meant to be looking after.

Are you going to be confident enough to report poor practice amongst your colleagues? Some people will abuse their position, and you'll need to make a decision about what you do about that. Locked environments can be incredibly toxic.

A recent case of this

https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3llkxewl2o.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17375797243722&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

This man was assaulted by the police who arrested him. One was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison. He was then assaulted by the custody sergeant.

It doesn't look like there were many people willing to challenge the abuse of this man. And obviously the custody staff felt able to behave in this manner despite CCTV and other people witnessing the incident.

No this isn’t how it works. Prisoners gave had their liberty taken away and may know they are facing a hefty sentence. They have no fucks left to give.
Cell extractions, dealing with dirty protests and strip searching will be part of the role.
It’ll also likely be a shift pattern of 2 early shifts, 2 lates and 2 nights.

You can TRY and build positive relationships with people but if they're already coming into the block wound up, you don't always get the chance. As a PP has said, dirty protests, fighting, restraint etc are all part of the job.

Surely I would imagine if you treat detainees with respect they shouldn't want to harm you right?

😂😂😂

no. I’m so sorry my lovely but that’s not how it’s going to work.

I'm not sure I agree with all of the people saying that it won't work to treat people with dignity.

There are times it won't work, when someome is already in a shit state of mind. alressy angry, previous bad experiences, intoxicated and mentally ill. But the people you see regularly will get to know you and know that you're not horrible and won't be abusive.

No one is saying that but OP appeared to think she’ll be able to talk herself out of any situation by being polite and respectful. And we are preparing her for the reality that it rarely works like that.
I’ve been a police officer for 18 years and OP needs to be aware that only a few individuals are willing to listen to reason or kindness.
Yes it may work with some but ultimately they see a uniform, not a person, and that’s what they have an issue with.

I know a police officer, when people have been arrested and are highly stressed they kick off quite frequently. As a health care worker you must know the fight or flight response caused by adrenaline.

I think your ideas sound lovely but it sadly really isn't that easy, you are in touch with some of the most vile disgusting people you can imagine, like others have said, there is often dirty protests, spitting in faces is fairly daily. People lashing out for no reason whatsoever. It's safe to a certain extent, if you use restraint the correct way but sadly far too many get injured through no fault of their own. Lots of people have no respect what's so ever despite how you treat them. Hours on end sat on a chair for Suicide watch (generally just a threat too with no real intent) Strip searching, drunks etc. it can be vile in there, however can be nice colleagues too.

I'm sorry but you are being very naive with regards to this.

You will definitely be in harms way and will be involved in aggression and violence.

Absolutely being respectful and building rapport is necessary and encouraged however you also need to be on your guard at all times as this can be taken advantage of and used against you.

In regards to support, yes you will be supported and trained to deal with violence and attacks.

Good luck in your new venture

I used to do this job albeit over 10 years ago and detainees have got more aggressive and carry more risk since those days however it is still one of my favourite jobs and some of my custody tales are epic entertainment and to outing to disclose due to the level of bat shittery.
I always tried to ignore why people had been arrested and treated them how I'd want to be treated so I was never assaulted but was involved in my fair share of cell extractions or aiding colleagues. Not to mention all the first aid, counselling, social work, Intel gathering etc that are all parts of the role that go undocumented and often unacknowledged. You do get regulars who recognise you and you'll also get some who see you as a uniform and want to go against you regardless. You do need a thick skin and a strong stomach somedays but it's certainly a varied and interesting job.

I worked as a police office many years ago and I always felt my voice was my most powerful tool. I felt a lot of stressful and volatile situations might have been avoided if officers / staff had approached more respectfully.
So I think the OP has a point and that how you approach people makes a big difference.
Obviously, this won't always be the case.

@Charl58, if you're a nurse or paramedic, you can work in custody too? They have HCP's in each custody block.

Thank you all for your sharing your very insightful experiences. I have read them all and appreciate them all.

As mentioned I have worked in the NHS for 10+ years and have been involved in many cases of de-escalating volatile situations but probably not to the extent that may be experienced in a custodial setting. Some of my favourite patients I've ever engaged with are those from a homeless backgrounds with a history of substance misuse/mental illness ect. In my experience, I've always been able to build a great rapport with these patients and on some occasions, when they've been in the wrong ive been assertive but fair and found that I have received great respect.

I come to realise, that maybe a training prison where offenders are more willing to engage in their rehabilitation may be more suited to my personality. I am not niave to think that I will never come across volatility. I have been in my fair share of situations where a patients kicking off because they're not getting their methadone exactly when they want it ect. I was more interested to learn how violence is controlled in a custody suite ect.

Thank you all so much for your input 🙂 if anyone has any experience to share in a Cat C training prison, feel free to share 🙂