What is ‘Stop and Search’ ?
A police officer has the power to stop and search you if they have ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect you are carrying ; a weapon, illegal drugs, stolen property or an item that could be used to commit a crime. You can also be stopped and searched without the above mentioned ‘reasonable grounds’ if it has been approved by a senior officer. This may happen if it is suspected that; you are carrying a weapon or have used one, if you are in a specific location or area, or if serious violence could take place. Before you are searched an officer must tell you :
- their name and police station
- what they expect to find, for example drugs
- the reason they want to search you, for example if it looks like you’re hiding something
- why they are legally allowed to search you
- that you can have a record of the search and if this isn’t possible at the time, how you can get a copy
The police follow the Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme guidance to ensure stop and search procedures are carried out correctly at the right time and place and under the right circumstances.
Follow the links below to Stop and Search advice from Derbyshire Police :
Your rights and responsibilities
How Derbyshire Police use Stop and Search
What is the Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel and what do Panel members do?
The Commissioner’s Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel is made up of staff from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Police representatives and volunteers. The panel is held to ensure fairness and equality to everyone who is stopped and searched by an officer.
The Stop and Search Volunteers go to panel meetings (held online) once a month for 2 hours with Police representatives and members of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The Panel review 10 random stop and searches from the previous month that have been undertaken across Derbyshire.
The Panel will make a determination as to whether the stop and search has passed scrutiny or not by reviewing the officers reasons for stopping and searching the individual, along with any available body worn video. The Panel is able to pass back any concerns regarding the search that has been identified to the Constabulary for them to review and take action on where appropriate, as well as provide positive feedback to the Constabulary for searches that are exemplary.
How do I apply to be a Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel Volunteer ?
All volunteers will need to pass police vetting before they commence in the role of a volunteer. Derbyshire Police will carry out the police vetting checks as part of the application process.
Please Note: We are not currently recruiting for Stop Search volunteers at this time.
For further volunteer opportunities with Derbyshire Constabulary check their website here.