“The service that Reliance provides goes well beyond the requirements of contractual obligations and performance measurements. When presented with any fresh challenge or change Reliance provides a positive and professional response. They have proved themselves to be true partners.”
Chief Inspector Kielty, Cleveland Police

Key Services:

• Custody Management
• Bail Management
• Forensic Medical Examination Services
• Detainee Processing
• Identification Suite Management
• PFI Services

Our customer
Cleveland Police work with numerous organisations and authorities in order to provide a joined up and informed crime reduction service for the people in the Cleveland area. Reliance, the strategic partner of Cleveland Police Authority responsible for Custody Management, Forensic Medical Examination services, ID Suite Management, Bail Management and PFI services including facilities management in four Cleveland Police District Offices. Cleveland Police serve a diverse area of both urban and rural communities, and was firmly committed to their ‘Putting People First’ vision – a plan to improve facilities for employees and the wider population.

Our challenge
By demonstrating our professionalism and thorough understanding of the processes and procedures, we were able to win the Constabulary’s confidence and the country’s first Bail Management scheme and began police support services in the custody centres at Middlesbrough, Kirkleatham and Hartlepool in 2007.

The force recognised that the care and administration of detainees did not need the skills of fully trained constables, and that efficient professional management would eliminate the time-wasting process of the booking-in of detainees. This released 33 frontline officers to focus on core policing, releasing 20,000 hours of operational Police Officer time. A close working relationship between the Custody Staff, Police Officers and Supervision aided a smooth transition from Police to Partnership to present day Custody. Due to the professionalism and thorough knowledge and understanding of Cleveland policies and procedures and ability to work to these documents the Reliance Custody contract was awarded the ISO9001 accreditation in 2008.

Partnership
Close relations with between Reliance Management and Cleveland Police is an integral part of the fine balance to ensure that the maintenance of the contract runs smoothly and efficiently as possible. Monthly meetings with the Criminal Justice Unit play an important role in, fully engaging in the partnership approach. On the agenda are topics such as new legislation and its impact and best practice initiatives. Reliance feedback on current working practices across the centres and our other police support contracts is always welcomed.

Part of modern policing
Beyond taking fingerprints and photographs, the Reliance team is trained to use Video Witness technology for identification purposes. All Cleveland Reliance staff are authorised to apply The Chief Constable’s designated powers of force for taking samples without detainee consent. Reliance manages and administers the data collection and verification of each arrest before the information is transmitted to the central database.

At the three Custody Suites, we are involved in the Governments ‘Drug Intervention Programme’ where highly trained Reliance Detention Officers collect samples from detainees and carry out initial analysis. Every effort is made to ensure that samples are processed efficiently, so that results are never needlessly delayed. Cleveland is one of the most effective performing constabularies within the UK in this field.
Reliance also supports a highly successful Identification Unit which has a high average positive success rate. All staff are trained in the use the Information Technology systems used including pixilation of images when necessary.

Innovation that delivers
The Partnership has gone from strength to strength with Reliance officers becoming experts in detainee management and administration. This has undoubtedly played a part in Cleveland Police being nominated for numerous awards for excellence in partnership. Going further, we have created the new role of Bail Manager; an initiative that further liberates warranted officers from the burden of administration and has been recognised by numerous forces around the UK. The number ofdetainees that fail to attend bail has dramatically reduced from over 750 to below 130. Charge clinics for detainees returning on bail to be charged have been introduced which reduces unnecessary Operational Officer time within the Custody Suite

Efficient, accessible medical services
Cleveland Police now benefit from greater levels of accessibility to Forensic Medical Examiners (FMEs) and Forensic Nurse Practitioners (FNPs). This efficient management of qualified medical professionals, who can visit detainees at short notice, reduces both costs and waiting times. Now, 20% of all detainees receive a medical examination, significantly more than forecast and the whole custody process is safer and more efficient as a result.