PCSOs
The role of a Police Community Support Officer
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are the face of the police within local communities.
As a PCSO, you will be at the heart of our communities, playing an integral part in delivering effective neighbourhood policing, and providing a highly visible policing presence.
Your communication, relationship building and problem-solving skills will ensure you become a well-known and respected figure across your patch. Through building strong relationships with communities and partner agencies, you will reduce crime and disorder, tackling community safety at a local level. The role is diverse, from attending community events to helping solve street-based problems including drugs related crime and anti-social behaviour.
Could you be a Police Community Support Officer?
We want to empower you with all the information you need on your journey to becoming a PCSO, and to this end, we encourage you to read some of the information presented in the sections below.
From learning what we can offer you if you choose to start your policing career with us, the recruitment process explained, to the way we value difference in our workforce, we hope you will find all you need to take the next step and join our team.
- A full-time, permanent role, for which you will have a starting salary of £31,611 – £32,928 per annum (Band 2E) from day one of training, inclusive of shift allowances, depending on location and pattern required.
- After your initial learning and coached patrol training, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible shift pattern. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis as per the operational requirements of your neighbourhood team.
- In addition, we offer a fantastic range of benefits, including 24 days annual leave per annum pro-rata for part time (plus Bank Holidays), a wide range of lifestyle discounts, career development opportunities and have the option to join a local government pension scheme. To view a full list of our benefits, please visit our Supporting you page.
- As an apprentice PCSO your on-the-job learning will also be accredited with a Level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice. Modern apprenticeships offer new opportunities to earn and learn for everyone from college leavers to career changers.
To apply for the role you will need to meet our eligibility criteria:
- Be at least 17 years of age upon application but must be 18 years of age by your first day in the role; there is no upper age limit
- English Language or Literature at GCSE grade 9-4 or equivalent (e.g. Grade A-C GCSE / O Level or Level 2 Functional Skill).
- International qualifications can be accepted if their equivalency is established through ENIC (previously NARIC)
- If you don’t have a relevant English qualification, you can obtain one through a college or training provider and then proceed with your application. To find a provider, you can contact your local college to see what they offer or search for a provider online. Some courses are fully funded by the Department of Education; the provider will explain what costs, if any, are involved.
- Maths GCSE at GCSE grade 9-4 or equivalent is desirable (e.g. Grade A-C GCSE / O Level or Level 2 Functional Skill). If you do not hold a relevant qualification, you will be supported to achieve a Level 2 Functional Skill maths qualification as part of the PCSO training programme.
- International qualifications can be accepted if their equivalency is established through ENIC (previously NARIC)
- Be a British citizen, or an EU/European Economic Area (EEA) national, Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with Indefinite Leave to Remain or Pre-Settled/Settled status and no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom
- Residency – have been a UK resident for the last three years
- Hold a full manual UK or EU driving licence by the time of formal offer (you can still apply if you are currently learning to drive and plan to take your test in the next 3 to 6 months, however you won’t normally be able to join an intake until you have passed your test)
- Not have served any time in prison or youth detention (if you have a criminal conviction, it may lead to your application being rejected – we will take into account the date, nature of offence plus evidence of good character since the offence)
- Be in good health and able to physically and mentally perform your duties, having the ability to successfully complete the job-related fitness test. BMI readings will be taken at your fitness test and medical as part of your overall health assessment.
- Not have any piercings or tattoos which could cause offence
The process from initial application through to start date can take six months and includes:
- application (including proof of eligibility)
- interview
- provisional offer
- pre-employment checks
- start date
If you have any queries please contact our Recruitment Department via RecruitmentPCSO@thamesvalley.police.uk
Your training will include:
- Initial Learning (10 weeks); This takes place at our force training centre in Sulhamstead where you will learn about the roles and responsibilities of a PCSO alongside fellow PCSO students.
- Annual leave (1 week)
- Coached Patrol (10 weeks); You will then move to your neighbourhood team where you will start to carry out the role alongside your PCSO Tutor who will coach and support you.
- Independent Phase (31 weeks); During this phase you will continue to work within your neighbourhood team and continue to be supported as you work towards your qualification in Community Policing Practice and achievement of the Police Community Support Officer Apprenticeship.
- Our PCSOs work in our 3 counties, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
- We will aim to appoint you in a role closest to your home address.
- Please visit our Local Command Units page to see our work locations across the Thames Valley.
Ready to embark on a career as a PCSO?
If you are an excellent communicator, with strong relationship building and problem solving skills, then have you considered a career as a Police Community Support Officer?
As a PCSO you will play an important part in protecting your community, in a role where no two days are the same, you can make a change and see the impact first-hand in the heart of your community.
Meet our PCSOs
Celebrating 20 years of Police Community Support Officers
“Nearly 20 years on, our PCSOs continue to make a significant contribution to policing the in the Thames Valley. As part of our neighbourhood policing teams, PCSOs provide frontline support by working at the heart of our communities as the face of policing within the Thames Valley. Our PCSOs come from all walks of life, bringing strong and diverse skillsets that enable us to build trust and confidence within our communities. As Chief Constable, I would like to extend my personal thanks to all of our PCSOs for their hard work and dedication over the last two decades. They continue to help protect our communities and allow us, as Thames Valley Police, to be at our best.”
Contact us
If you’d like to know more about a career as a Police Community Support Officer, please get in touch with the team at RecruitmentPCSO@thamesvalley.police.uk
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
Instagram