PCSOs are uniformed police staff who perform a high visibility, patrolling role
- providing reassurance to the communities they serve. They use their powers
to tackle non-confrontational crime, disorder, nuisance and anti-social
behaviour - which in turn allows police officers to concentrate on critical
crimes and incidents. For example, PCSOs carry out functions which need
a uniformed presence but do not necessarily require the full skills and
expertise of a police officer.
PCSOs contribute to the safety of the community in a whole variety of ways.
As well as assisting with crime reduction projects and liasing with schools
they have the power to confiscate alcohol and cigarettes from the under-aged,
deal with abandoned and unlicensed vehicles and issue fixed penalty notices.
PCSOs come from all walks of life - some of our most successful officers have
formerly been a security guard, a museum warden, a supermarket checkout supervisor,
an ambulance officer, a chef, a bus driver, a school assistant and a nurse.
So what do we look for? Essentially you need plenty of initiative as well
as the ability to work as part of a team; you care about your community and
have a desire to make a difference. Excellent communication skills are paramount,
as is a flair for remaining approachable and positive in difficult situations
and considering and respecting the opinions, circumstances and feelings of
others.
