The Appropriate Adult role offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals, ensuring that their rights are protected and they receive fair treatment in police custody.
Smarter Consulting can deliver an Appropriate Adult provision for vulnerable adults in police custody across Devon and Cornwall, from lower level offences to serious and grave crimes.
Appropriate Adults safeguard the welfare, rights, and effective participation of vulnerable adults detained or questioned as suspects. They are expected to be an active participant. In order to be effective, they need to be assertive, speak up and intervene – not simply be a passive observer.
PACE Code C 1.7A states that the appropriate adult is expected, amongst other things, to:
- Support, advise and assist the vulnerable adult when, in accordance with this Code or any other Code of Practice, they are given or asked to provide information or participate in any procedure;
- Observe whether the police are acting properly and fairly to respect the vulnerable adult’s rights and entitlements, and inform an officer of the rank of inspector or above if they consider that they are not;
- Assist the vulnerable adults to communicate with the police whilst respecting their right to say nothing unless they want to, as set out in the terms of the caution;
- Help the vulnerable adult to understand their rights and ensure that those rights are protected and respected.
If you wish to pre-book our AA service please get in touch.
