by Rob Spence

Created on: June 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 24, 2009

If you are thinking of becoming a Police Community Support Officer, then well done! You will find that it will be one of the most rewarding and satisfying jobs that you could possibly have. Please take time to read this article, as I hope to make the challenge of becoming one slightly easier for you, and I hope to enlighten you on what is wanted, and needed. I am currently a PCSO myself, and I take great pride in my work. I do feel that a lot of work is needed to increase the popularity of PCSO's, however by working hard, and being the best you can be, you will find that once you get to the streets, there will be plenty of respect out there waiting for you. I shall discuss the origins of a PCSO, what the job role consists of but I will also give you tips on getting the job, and also being the best PCSO you can be.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's) were introduced to the streets of the United Kingdom, following the release of a piece of legislation, which has changed the way our streets are policed. The Police Reform Act 2002 introduced PCSOs and gave PCSO's powers to help to enforce the law, and Police our streets.

Piles of paperwork, and overstretched work loads were keeping our Police Officers from our streets, and kept them stuck in the Police stations. The public felt that this was unacceptable, and were starting to feel neglected by the Police, and were not satisfied with the service they were being given. PCSO's were brought in to assist with "low level" crime and to patrol the UK's streets to help to prevent crime. Community Policing has now come to the very top of Britain's Police Force's priorities and many of you may have seen the new "Policing Pledge", which is a set of guidelines the Police must abide by to ensure that the Public get the best possible service. PCSO's play a big part in this, and if you are thinking of becoming a PCSO, you must be ready to become a foundation of a community.

Joining the role is slightly different to many other jobs that are available. PCSO's enroll new recruits several times of the year, so you must be prepared to wait for maybe months before you can apply. My best advice for you is this; find out which constabulary covers the area you live in. A simple web search will bring you to your Police Service's website. The website should contain information on when the next intake will occur. Failing this, simply ring up the service number given for your service, (not 999!) and ask to be put through to the recruiting

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