Appropriate Adult.
An Appropriate Adult (AA) is someone who supports a vulnerable detainee when they are being interviewed by the police. The role is set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. KAG provides an Appropriate Adult service for vulnerable adults at Kingston Police Custody Suite with a rota of trained volunteers under the supervision of a KAG AA co-coordinator.
Trained volunteers are made available through KAG to any adult arrested by the police and taken to Kingston custody who are deemed vulnerable and do not have the support of an appropriate family member, social worker or friend.
Who needs an AA?
When a person who has been arrested is deemed to be vulnerable an Appropriate Adult has to be present while they are interviewed by the police.
Vulnerable people include those who have a mental health problem, a learning disability, difficulty reading or writing, visual impairment and juveniles up to the age 17.
What do they do?
As an Appropriate Adult (AA) your role is to support the detainee, helping them to understand what is happening and to communicate with the police. (You do not provide legal advice and you are not expected to discuss the alleged offence.)
In general outline, before a detainee is interviewed, the AA will meet the Custody Officer, check the custody record, liaise with the solicitor, meet the detainee and ensure he or she understands the procedures, and that they are fit to be interviewed. During the interview the AA considers whether the detainee is able to answer the questions and whether the interview is being conducted fairly. After the interview the AA is present when the next course of action is being explained, to ensure the detainee understands fully what is happening, whether they are being charged or released, and what they may need to do next.
Want to volunteer as an AA? Visit our volunteering page.