In this section you will find the most common asked questions about joining the UK police and aim is to provide you with all the information that you need.
People have all different types of questions about joining the police, some who are just starting to consider this as a career and others who already involved within the recruitment process.
If there is a question that you would like answered that does not appear here then please send an email to info@police-recruitment.co.uk and we will not only send you the answer to the question directly but we will also add it to this page so that other people can benefit from the response.
Q. What Does A PCSO Actually Do?
PCSOs are helping to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. They are making people feel safer in their community and closing the gap between crime and the fear of crime. As a police community support officer (PCSO), you will work on the frontline of your local force, providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets and tackling the menace of anti-social behaviour.
The role of a PCSO is typically a full time position and is similar to the role of police officer in that it is based on a shift working pattern. However, the job is also a flexible one and personal and individual circumstances can be taken into account when determining the weekly schedule.
The position of a PCSO can lead to a long career with the police and many applicants see it as a stepping stone to becoming a police officer. While it is true that many PCSO's do go on to become police officers the progression is not guaranteed and you still need to apply for this position.
PCSOs have different roles in different forces, but they usually patrol a beat and interact with the public, while also offering assistance to police officers at crime scenes and major events.
Depending on where you work, you could:
- deal with minor offences
- offer early intervention to deter people from committing offences
- provide support for front-line policing
- conduct house-to-house enquiries
- guard crime scenes
- provide crime prevention advice
Work as a PCSO is demanding, and brings with it a great deal of responsibility. Depending on the rules of the force with which you work, you may be given considerable police powers. You could, for example:
- detain someone until a constable arrives
- direct traffic and remove vehicles
- issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour.
Q. What Is The Purpose Of A PCSO?
As a PCSO, you have three main responsibilities:
1. To reduce crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour by being highly visible within your community. Your presence will deter anti-social behaviour and many other offences.
2. To deal with minor offences using the powers given to you by your force’s Chief Constable. Your intervention often deters people from committing offences. It also stops minor problems getting worse.
3. To support front-line policing – you will carry out duties such as house-to-house enquiries, guard crime scenes or provide crime prevention advice.
Q. What Is The Difference Between A PCSO And A Police Officer?
PCSOs do not have powers of arrest, cannot interview or process prisoners, cannot investigate crime and do not carry out the more complex and high-risk tasks that police officers perform.
Q. What Does A PCSO Get Paid?
Basic information about the salary and benefits you can expect to receive as a police community support officer.
Pay for police community support officers (PCSOs) varies from force to force, usually starting at just over £16,000 (although those working in London will receive more), and rising steadily as you gain experience.
PCSOs receive a wide range of benefits, including a fair and inclusive promotion policy, flexible working hours and more.
Q. What Are The Benefits of Being A PCSO?
If you become a PCSO you can expect:
- a flexible working schedule
- paid over-time
- a minimum of 21 days annual leave
- fully paid sick leave.
Q. What Qualities Do You Need To Become A PCSO?
Not everybody is cut out to be a police community support officer (PCSO). Although PCSOs come from a wide variety of backgrounds, all share certain attributes. They must, for example:
- be confident, level-headed and mature
- have experience and confidence in dealing with difficult people and complex situations
- be sensitive, but also thick-skinned
- have good communication skills
- work well as part of a team
- have the stamina for long stretches on foot patrol
- exhibit excellent communication skills
- be patient in dealing with all types of people, some of whom may be drunk or hostile.
Q. Who Can Become A PCSO?
- there are no minimum or maximum height requirements
- there is no formal educational requirement, but you will have to pass written tests
- only applications from British citizens, EC/EEA nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or foreign nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK will be accepted
- A number of crimes will mean a definite or likely rejection of your application, including anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offence
- you must be physically and mentally able to undertake police duties
- you will need to complete a medical history questionnaire and undergo an eyesight test satisfactorily before appointment
- some tattoos (whether visible or not) and facial piercing might be unacceptable.
Q. What Does A Working Week Of A PCSO Involve?
• go on highly visible, uniformed foot patrols;
• support Community Beat Officers and Community Action Teams in solving local problems;
• make house visits to gather intelligence and offer public reassurance after minor crimes or anti-social behaviour;
• get involved with key people in the community, such as community, religious and business leaders;
• work with Community Watch, Neighbourhood Watch, Business Watch, Pub Watch, Farm Watch and Horse Watch schemes;
• protect crime scenes until police officers arrive;
• collect CCTV evidence;
• provide low-level crime prevention and personal safety advice;
• carry out low-level missing person enquiries;
• act as professional witnesses, attending court when needed;
• support crime prevention;
• engage with youths;
• interact with schools;
• support the Mobile Police Station; and
• support Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
Q. How Does The PCSO Recruitment Process Work?
There are three steps that you need to complete successfully in order to become a PCSO:
1. Fill in the enclosed application form.
2. Attend an assessment process.
3. Pass medical, security and reference checks.
For more information click here: PCSO Recruitment
Q. What Is The Most Important Part Of The Application Form?
The most important part of the application form is the Competency Assessment. Your answers will help us work out if you are likely to have the skills and abilities to be an effective PCSO. Your answers will help us decide if we should invite you to step 2 of the assessment process at the assessment centre. Please read all the instructions thoroughly. It is important that you think carefully about your answers. If you are unsuccessful, you will not be able to reapply for six months.
Q. What Type Of Training Will I Receive?
Your training and development will be a key start in your career as a PCSO. Serving your community is a fundamental part of being a PCSO. Therefore, one of the most important parts of your training will be to develop the key skills that help you do this.
The training will use a mixture of methods – such as practical demonstrations, computer-based simulations and presentations.
Each police force tailors its training programmes to reflect local needs. Your chosen police force will give you a detailed programme once your application to be a PCSO has been successful.
Q. What Equipment Will I Use as a PCSP?
You will have a radio, possibly a mobile phone and, in most forces, a protective vest. As PCSOs are not used to carry out potentially confrontational duties, you won’t use handcuffs, batons or incapacitant sprays.
Q. Will I have to work alone?
Much of your time may be spent patrolling on your own. There will be occasions when you will patrol with other PCSOs, PCs and sergeants as part of your neighbourhood policing team. You will also have opportunities to work with Special Constables and members of other warden schemes.
Q. Am I Old Enough To Apply?
The minimum age to become a PCSO is 18, but you must be able to demonstrate all the qualities that are required of a PCSO throughout the assessment process.
Q.What qualifications do I need to become a PCSO?
You do not need formal education qualifications to become a PCSO. However, your English should be proficient
Q. What are the working hours and conditions for a PCSO?
PCSOs work 37 hours a week, in a shift system, usually covering the hours between 8am and midnight, including weekends and public holidays. There are opportunities to work part-time and flexible hours.
Q. How and Where Do I Apply to become a PCSO?
Before we venture into the actual PCSO selection process, let us take a look at how and when you can apply. To begin with you need to see whether your chosen Police Force is recruiting PCSOs. This can be done by visiting their website or by contacting them by telephone or e-mail (please see our useful contacts section for more details).
PCSO recruitment is usually carried out centrally although the UK Police Force do have a tendency to change their procedures
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