Booking Into Custody

The police can only hold an individual in custody for a set amount of time and this time starts the moment a suspect arrives at a police station where there is a custody suite.  under normal circumstances an individual may only be held for up to 2 hours however an officer who hold the rank of Inspector or above may authorise them to be held for an additional hour and a member of the judiciary may authorise they be held for up to 6 hours. note: the custody clock is paused if the suspect has to leave custody to attened hospital.

While in custody an individual has the following rights:

1. Right to free an independent legal advice

A suspect is entitles to have a solicitor provide them with legal advice. To check what if any solicitors are on duty an officer must go tot he law directory locate din every police station. If there are no solicitors available then a despatch must be put into the solicitor hotline. If after this there is no reply consideration must be given to bailing the suspect to be dealt with at a later time and the suspect informed their are no solicitor available.  

2. Right to Food and Drink

A suspect in custody has the right to food and drink and as such there is specific food for detained persons inside the fridge at Mission Row Police Station. 

3. Right to Medical Attention

Suspects have the right to medical attention and should be given the option weather to receive first aid from a trained officer or if they require NHS treatment

4. Right to have someone informed they're under arrest

Suspects have the right to have someone informed they're under arrest, they do not have the right to a phone call which means the officer should usually be the one making the call.  This phone call should only inform the other person, who is under arrest, and that they're safe. Under no circumstances should the location they're being detail or for what offences be disclosed. 

5. Right to see a copy of the police codes of practice and if needed in another language

A suspect has the right to see a written copy of the police codes of practice . If they choose to exercise this right then the following link can be given to them:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/police-and-criminal-evidence-act-1984-pace-codes-of-practice

6. Right to see a written copy of their custody rights and if needed in another language

A suspect has a right to see a written copy of their rights while in custody.  if a suspect requests this gyzazo should be placed into an evidential image and handed to them

Any person who is not:

• A police officer;

• Member of gruppe 6;

• Judge;

• Member of the NHS;

• Member of the CPS.

should be searched when they enter police custody under section 54 of the police and criminal evidence act and any items that could be used as a weapon or risk harm to persons or property taken. This includes the search of suspects even if they have been searched already and the folloing items MUST be taken from them:

• Phones;

• Radios;

• Petrol Cans;

• Lockpicks;

• Zipties;

• Anything that may be used as a weapon.

All suspects who enter custody should have their fingerprints and photo taking. Even if the individual is already known to the officer brining them in their fingerprints should be taken and these fingerprints printed on a  card. These card should then be placed into a case file and linked to any incident report created.