PCSO
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
We are currently recruiting for Police Community Support Officers!
PCSO
Prosser
Every day is completely different. You never know what you’re going to come across which can be challenging at times but I can’t see myself doing anything else now.”
Being a PCSO
As a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), you will be working at the heart of the local community. You’ll provide a visible and accessible uniformed presence to improve the quality of life and offer public reassurance.
As well as making a real difference, you’ll benefit from great variety in what you do every day. There is also a good salary and benefits.
Since the introduction of PCSOs, the role has become an established part of our neighbourhood policing, providing that vital connection to the communities we serve. You will be a valuable and engaged presence in our communities, identifying and solving local priorities, and supporting your communities to tackle anti-social behaviour and disorder.
PCSOs are at their best, when focusing on the community support aspect of the role as opposed to punitive enforcement activities. While enforcement is an important tool, the application of discretion alongside calm dialogue, guidance and support can be a far better instrument to bring about change in behaviour and communities.
This supportive, preventative approach not only differentiates PCSOs from their police officer colleagues, but will in itself foster and promote community cohesion. It builds and develops key partnerships with individuals and community groups to resolve the problems, issues and concerns they face. A key feature of successful neighbourhood policing is empowering communities to engage in, and own, the initiatives that benefit them. As a PCSO you are fundamental to this success.
Training and apprenticeship
‘”The PCSO role is a great introduction to policing and the apprenticeship carries you through from the very beginning until you’re competent in your role. I would 100% recommend it to someone looking to join the world of community policing!” – PSCO Prosser
Our PCSO Apprenticeship combines practical on-the-job training with engaging academic learning, at the end of which you will be awarded a Level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice qualification.
Your diploma will be completed within 12 months of joining the Constabulary with the full completion of the apprenticeship by around 15 months.
Find out more:
Initial training
Your initial ‘Operational Learning’ phase will take place at our Southern Support and Training HQ in Netley, Southampton.
During this phase, you will be working from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for 15 weeks, with one week’s annual leave during week 11.
During your initial training, we will provide you with full access to the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to perform your role as a PCSO. Your learning will be facilitated in a variety of formats. This includes classroom based sessions, online blended learning and opportunities to practice skills.
Tutoring
After initial training, you will start the operational ‘on the job’ tutor phase.
You will be based at your allocated posting station within our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and follow a shift pattern (for more information about this, please see the details of postings on our Recruitment tile).
You will be assigned an experienced PCSO tutor who will mentor you for the 10 weeks. During this time you will work towards the goal of Independent Patrol Status. After this, you will be able to work without further support from a tutor.
Independent patrol status
The next six months are the final phase of your development as a fully competent and independent PCSO.
You will still be learning while working, as well as finishing your Level 4 diploma and working towards your apprenticeship, with the support of our Learning & Development and Apprenticeship teams.
After a year of service, you will have completed your qualification, will no longer on probation and will become a substantive PCSO.
Completing your apprenticeship
‘The benefits of an apprenticeship programme are that you get to evaluate situations that you’ve handled and see what went wrong and what went right. It helps you assess yourself as well and see what there is to improve in and what you learnt from it.’
PSCO Mastoropoulos.
The final stage of your apprenticeship consists of an end point assessment by an independent assessor.
This involves giving a presentation and having a discussion about the work that you have completed during your training. The assessment will take place when you and your line manager decide you are ready. This is usually around 15 months after your start date.
“I am mostly looking forward to putting into practice everything I have learned so far and making the ability to help lives my second nature. I want people to be able to breathe a sigh of relief whenever they see our uniform.”
PCSO Celestini
