In Short

Volunteers needed: Murrumbidgee Police District is actively recruiting for its Custody Support Program, which provides welfare and communication support to people held in police custody.

Diverse backgrounds especially welcome: People from Aboriginal communities and non-English speaking cultural backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply, reflecting the region's community makeup.

How to apply: All volunteers are fully vetted and trained. Interested community members can contact A/Inspector Lynch on 6969 4299.

Being taken into police custody is, for most people, one of the most stressful and disorienting experiences they will ever face. Whether it is a language barrier, a lack of understanding of their rights or simply the shock of the situation, people in custody can quickly become overwhelmed, and that is exactly where the Murrumbidgee Police District's Custody Support Program steps in.

Police are actively seeking volunteers from across the Murrumbidgee region to join the program, which places trained community members alongside police to help meet the welfare and communication needs of people in custody. Volunteers provide a calming, supportive presence and help ensure that detainees understand what is happening and that their basic needs are being met.

Of particular interest to the Murrumbidgee Police District are applicants from diverse cultural and non-English speaking backgrounds, reflecting the rich and varied communities that make up the Riverina and surrounds. Police are also specifically continuing to recruit Aboriginal Custody Support Persons, who play a particularly important role in supporting Aboriginal people in custody, a group who are significantly overrepresented in the justice system and who can face unique barriers in a custody setting.

Prospective volunteers should not be deterred by the thought of entering a police environment. All applicants undergo thorough background and suitability checks to ensure the safety and integrity of the program, and successful volunteers receive full training before they begin. The role is carried out in collaboration with police, not independently, providing a supportive framework for those taking it on.

The program is a well-established part of policing across New South Wales and is designed to ensure that anyone held in custody, regardless of their background, language or circumstances, has access to a trusted support person who can communicate with them clearly and compassionately.

If you are interested in applying or would like more information, contact Acting Inspector Lynch at Murrumbidgee Police District on 6969 4299.