Police apprentices benefit from new custody suite

Police apprentices are among the students benefiting from a new custody suite created at the University of Derby developed by architects Morrison Design.

The police custody training facility has been created at the university’s One Friar Gate Square site, home to the School of Law and Social Sciences.

Morrison Design was called upon to design the internal layout alterations across three floors of the building, creating reconfigured office, meeting and lecturing space and the replica custody.

The redevelopment has created a unique training facility for students on the university’s accelerated two-year, three-year and apprenticeship Policing degrees.

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It is allowing them to experience the processes involved when booking offenders into custody, in a realistic and Covid-secure environment.

Tony Blockley, head of policing at the University of Derby, said: “Practical and theoretical learning is essential for trainee police officers.

“Through our strong links with Nottinghamshire Police, Derbyshire Constabulary and British Transport Police, our students have access to a wide range of real-world opportunities.

“I am thrilled that we can also offer them realistic practical experience right here at the university with the new custody suite.”

The suite, which sits alongside the university’s existing mock court room, student legal advice centre and Crime Scene House, has been designed to reflect the workplace with a three-person booking desk and cell, three interview rooms and a CCTV and recording room, all with necessary recording equipment and acoustically treated to prevent sound transmission.

A new 57-seat classroom with integrated audio and visual installation has also been added to provide students with an area to watch the practical learning in the custody suite via video link, and learn about the theoretical elements of the judicial system.

Dave Gardner, director at Morrison Design, said: “We are delighted that our design expertise will help the University of Derby educate the next generation of police officers.

“During the design phase we were very keen to listen to client’s requirements to ensure we designed a custody suite that was realistic and fit for purpose.”