High Tech Suite

High tech suite

Philip Roethenbaugh and Michael Hodges of the North Hertfordshire Branch recently visited Stevenage Police Station as it had undergone a major rebuild.

They were met by Inspector Steve Mann, who is responsible for the custody suite. He gave Philip and Michael an hour long tour of the state-of-the-art facility, during which time they were able to meet many of his colleagues and give out Service Testaments. 

The station previously had eight cells. It now has 24 which means that people displaying anti-social behaviour in the town, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, are much more likely to be taken into custody thus making the town centre much safer.
The cells are very high-tech. Many have sensors in place which will detect and then sound an alarm sound should a prisoner stop breathing. Cells also have CCTV and intercom links with the main desk. A high level of care and professionalism was much in evidence.

Prisoners often ask to have a Bible during their stay, which is typically no more than 14 hours. Insp. Mann took Philip and Michael to each cell, were he gently knocked and politely asked each person if they would like a Gideon Bible, having explained who we were. He also encouraged his staff to have a Bible. The Branch looks forward to maintaining this strong new link.

Also this year members have built a new link with the Police training centre staff in Letchworth where Sergeant Chris Upton takes recruits through an additional six week course. Chris is a member of the Christian Police Officers Association and gives all of his new officers the opportunity to have one of our Bibles during the section of the course in which faiths are covered.

The Branch are very grateful for these developments and thank God for them.  We pray that many will come to Christ as a result.

Picture - Philip Roethenbaugh and Inspector Mann outside the rear entrance of the custody suite.

Submitted by Philip Roethenbaugh, Herts North Branch