Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
What is a PCSO?
Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) act as a key liaison point between local communities and policing. Publicly facing, they provide a visible, accessible and approachable uniformed presence in the community to offer reassurance, defuse situations with threats of conflict, improve confidence and trust, gather information and foster good community relations.
You will do a variety of work in which you could:
go on highly-visible foot and cycle patrols
offer advice on crime prevention
deal with anti-social behaviour alongside neighbourhood wardens and community action teams
talk with young people and visit schools
build links with businesses and community leaders
guard crime scenes and detain suspects until a police officer arrives
make house visits to reassure people and gather intelligence
issue fixed penalty notices
use social media channels, online forums and force websites to develop links with local communities
provide support at large public gatherings, such as sports events and public demonstrations
https://profdev.college.police.uk/professional-profile/police-community-support-officer-pcso/
How to become a psco?
You can get into this job through:
an apprenticeship
applying directly
Apprenticeship
You can get into this role through a higher apprenticeship as a police community support officer.
Entry requirements
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
You can also aged 17 but must be aged 18 before you start.
Application help
All roles are expected to know, understand and act within the ethics and values of the Police Service.
The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) has six competencies that are clustered into three groups. Under each competency are three levels that show what behaviours will look like in practice.
Resolute, compassionate and committed
Inclusive, enabling and visionary leadership
Intelligent, creative and informed policing
Interview help
Research the role as you may be asked to demonstrate what preparation/understanding you have of the role.
2. In respect of each area identified as interview on the Role Profile we would advise that you prepare some examples to demonstrate your experience/knowledge.
3. Candidates will also be asked questions relating to behaviours and values as detailed on the Role Profile.
4. The CARLI model is adapted from a job interview technique where you structure each of
your answers according to the different aspect of the model. This model can easily be
used in general to guide your reflective process on experiences. CARLI stands for:
Context: Briefly describe the context of you experience
Action: Explain what actions you took
Results: Explain what happened as a result of your actions
Learning: Identify what you have learned
Improvement: Explain what improvements you have made following this experience
For more information please visit The CARLI framework of reflection | The University of Edinburgh where this has been lifted from and adapted slightly.
5. Please ensure you listen carefully to the question and ask the panel to repeat the question if you are unsure.
6. Sometimes the 1 st question is classed as an icebreaker and is not marked. This is designed to try and relax you and get you talking. You will be informed in advance if this question is not marked.
7. Do not presume that the panel know anything about you. Always expand on your examples even if you currently work with a panel member. You will only be considered on what you have said.
8. You can use the same examples that you provided in your application form, if you feel this is your strongest example. However, we would recommend you prepare a further example.
9. If you cannot think of an answer for a question ask the panel if you can move on and come back to it at the end.
10. Ask any questions that you have at the end of the interview, do not leave the interview unsure of anything.