Police community support officer

Police community support officers (PCSOs) improve community safety and reduce the fear of crime. They patrol the streets and deal with antisocial behaviour. They gather information and deal with litter, graffiti and vehicle offences. PCSOs do not have the full range of powers of a police officer and wear a different uniform.

Also known as:

PCSO

Work activities

Police community support officers (PCSOs) patrol the streets in a local neighbourhood to support community safety. They build relationships with schools, neighbourhood watch schemes, local businesses and community leaders, for example. They take part in crime prevention programmes. PCSOs have powers to take alcohol and tobacco away from people, remove abandoned vehicles and carry out road checks. They have the authority to issue fixed penalty notices for things like cycling on the footpath and dropping litter.

Their duties could include dealing with:

Antisocial behaviour.
Graffit.
Dog fouling.
Crowd control.
Removing illegal drugs from people.
Road traffic incidents.
Gathering and passing on information.
Guarding crime scenes.
Support for victims of crime.

PCSOs might make house-to-house visits after a burglary or an incident involving antisocial behaviour. They gather information from the local community and give advice about crime prevention. PCSOs keep records of patrols, enquiries and incidents; they complete crime reports and take statements. PCSOs give talks in schools and to neighbourhood groups on crime prevention, antisocial behaviour and other local issues. They might need to act as a witness in court. Some PCSOs patrol on foot, while others use bikes. Some might drive a police vehicle at times.

Personal qualities and skills

As a police community support officer, you’ll need to be able to:

Understand and respect people of all ages, types and backgrounds.
Deal effectively with members of the public at all times, often in difficult situations.
Demonstrate a community and customer focus.
Use your initiative.
Pay attention to detail.
Remain patient and calm under pressure.
Solve problems.
Take responsibility for your actions and decisions.
Complete paperwork and keep accurate records.
Deal with confidential information.

You will need:

Communication and teamworking skills.
To be confident and approachable.
Stamina in order to patrol on foot or by bike.
Some basic IT skills.

Some medical conditions could make it difficult for you to become a police community support officer (for example, severe asthma); contact your local police force for more details. Some types of visible tattoos and piercings might be unacceptable. Depending on the force you join, you might need a full driving licence.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for police community support officers (PCSOs) vary according to the region they are in. The pay rates given are approximate. PCSOs can earn in the range of £19,000 per year, rising to £26,000 with experience, with extra pay for allowances and overtime.

PCSOs work a basic 37-41-hour week. They normally work eight-hour shifts, which can include early starts, late finishes and weekend work. There are opportunities for part-time, job-share and seasonal work, depending on the requirements of the region.

Employers are the police services and the British Transport Police, throughout England and Wales. Opportunities for PCSOs occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout England and Wales.

What’s happening in this work area?

Competition for PCSO posts is strong. There are usually many more applicants than vacancies.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are usually advertised in the local press, on the Government’s Find a Job service, and on regional police service websites. Each police service is responsible for its own recruitment, but there is a national police application form that is completed online.

Entry routes and training

Each police service handles its own recruitment of police community support officers (PCSOs) and so entry requirements can vary slightly. Entrants might need a full driving licence before applying, but this is not the case in some areas. The minimum age for entry is 18.

A good way into this profession is through a level 4 (higher) apprenticeship. Successful applicants then have to undergo eyesight, medical, security and criminal record checks. Some police services look for previous work experience in the community, either paid or voluntary. The selection process could take a few months to complete.

New entrants go through a tailored training programme that includes an initial classroom-based training course followed by accompanied patrol, an assessment and further on-the-job training. Training covers areas like:

communication skills.
community relations.
using the two-way radio.
law and criminal justice.
personal safety, conflict management and first aid.
respect for people of all ages, types and backgrounds.
gathering information and writing reports.
carrying out checks on people and vehicles.
issuing penalty notices.
managing crime scenes.

Trainees might work towards the level 3 certificate in policing (police community support officers).

Some PCSOs go on to apply for police officer posts.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Working as a PCSO is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

To get onto an higher apprenticeship, you’ll usually need two A-levels and GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation. The minimum age for entry is 18.

New entrants come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some have developed skills by working with the public, or in recording/retrieving information, or in a community-based activity.

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