PCSOs
The role of a Police Community Support Officers
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.
In return for your work and commitment to protecting our communities, at Thames Valley Police (TVP) we will offer you a starting salary of £30,177 – £31,560 per annum, great training, and a Level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice.
Meet our PCSOs
What's involved?
As a PCSO, you will police our neighbourhoods, primarily through visible patrol, reassuring the public.
The role is diverse; from attending community events to helping solve street-based problems including drugs related crime and anti-social behaviour.
Through building strong relationships with communities and partner agencies, you will reduce crime and disorder, tackling community safety at a local level.
Becoming a TVP Police Community Support Officer
What we can offer you
- A full-time, permanent role, for which you will have a starting salary of £30,177 – £31,560 per annum (Band 2E) from day 1 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.
What are the eligibility criteria?
To apply for the role you will need to meet our eligibility criteria:
- Age 17 at date of application, must be 18 upon appointment – 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, EC/EEA or Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national with indefinite leave to remain
- 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.
- Full UK Driving Licence (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 be able to join an intake until you have passed your test)
What training will you receive?
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.
Where could you be working?
- We currently have PCSO roles available 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 Thames Valley Police Local Policing Areas (LPAs) page to see our work locations across the Thames Valley.
How can you apply?
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
Celebrating 20 years of Police Community Support Officers
In 2022, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) celebrated 20 years of delivering neighbourhood policing.
On 24 July 2002, the Police Reform Act introduced the PCSO role, and they have played an integral part in neighbourhood policing ever since. This anniversary allows us to celebrate the importance of the PCSO role and recognise the value it brings in helping to protect communities.
At Thames Valley Police (TVP), our first PCSOs started in Oxfordshire in 2003, and they continue to be an integral part of communities ever since.
Read our celebratory article – 20 years of PCSOs.
“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.”
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