Policing.uk
Custody officer
- Custody
An officer of at least the rank of sergeant, appointed to be responsible for the treatment and welfare of detained persons in a designated custody suite. The custody officer is independent of the investigation and must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a detainee, authorise continued detention, and ensure that all rights and entitlements under PACE Code C are complied with.
In practice
The custody officer is the detainee's first point of contact and acts as a safeguard against unlawful detention. They must open a custody record, inform the detainee of their rights, and ensure that reviews of detention take place at the required intervals. The role is operationally distinct from that of the investigating officer.
Last updated 24 September 2026