CUMBRIA CONSTABULARY RECRUITING

POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER

  

1. How old do I have to be?

You can apply to become a Police Community Support Officer  (PCSO) at age 17 or over but cannot take up appointment until you are 18 years of age.  Many people now join the Police in their 20’s and 30’s having gained life experience.

2. Do I need academic qualifications?

There are no specific qualifications required to become a PCSO.  However, it would be useful to have a GCSE in English.  In addition, any further qualifications such as A-Levels, NVQs, a degree etc, will be advantageous.

3. What skills do I need?

A successful applicant will be able to demonstrate their abilities in Intergrated Competency Framework.  These are:-

• Community and Customer Focus
• Effective Communication
• Resilience
• Respect for Race and Diversity
• Personal responsibility

4. How can I prepare to apply to the Police Service to become a Police Community Support Officer when I leave school?

The Police Service is looking for applicants who have ‘life skills’ and can confidently deal with people.  Therefore it is a good idea to get a part-time job where you are working with the public e.g. in a shop/café/restaurant.

Also try to do some voluntary work in your community e.g. helping with a school group, working in a care home, competing in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

It is important that Police Community Support Officers have a good level of fitness – so keep yourself fit and take part in any sports that you enjoy.  As a member of a sports team you will also be developing your skills in terms of team-working, problem solving, self-motivation and, perhaps, leadership.

Work hard at passing your exams and do the best that you can.  Do subjects that you enjoy as you are more likely to do well.

Talk to any Police Community Support officer that you meet and try to find out as much as possible about the work of a PCSO, so that you fully understand the role you are applying for.  PCSOs will be keen to tell you about their job – they know best about what it involves and will point out both the positive and negative aspects of their work.

5. What the recruitment process involve? 

You will be required to complete a National PCSO application form, this will them be marked by two assessors.  If your application is successful, you will then be asked to attend a written test.  Those who pass the written test are then interviewed. Should you pass the interview stage, you will be placed on a waiting list, awaiting next available intake.

6.  How much would the salary, will I be expected to work shifts and do I have to work full time?

 The starting salary for a PCSO is £18,006.  However once out in area, you will be appointed to a shift pattern (working hours will be between 08.00 – 20.00).  Once out on shift your receive shift entitlement and also be paid for weekend working which will increase you basic salary.

We accept applications from those who wish to work full time and part time.

7. What does the training involve?

All PCSO will undertake 6 weeks training at Police Headquarters, Penrith and will then go out to Area and spend 4 weeks with a tutor until you are confident enough to patrol on their own.

8. Where will I be posted?

On appointment to Cumbria Constabulary you will be assigned to one of the three Areas - North, South or West Cumbria.  Your posting will be decided according to the operational need for Police Community Support Officers in each Area at the time of your appointment.  Cumbria Constabulary will endeavour to post you to your requested area (North/South/West) however cannot guarantee that you will be based in a specific area eg Whitehaven/Ulverston/Penrith. We will ask you for your preferred choice and try to accommodate this if at all possible. 

9.  Will I be able to choose where I will be stationed?

As explained in the above question, you will be assigned to one of the three areas. Prior to your appointment date, the Personnel & Development Department will liaise with area to identify where the vacancies are and then look at who is to be posted and try to accommodate your request.

10. Should I join the Special Constabulary?

The Special Constabulary is a group of part-time volunteers who work alongside regular officers and deal with the same things.  It is, therefore, an excellent way to find out about Police work.  However, it is a big commitment and it will not guarantee entry to Cumbria Constabulary as a regular officer.  It is not a short cut to becoming a full-time Constable.  You have to be 18 years of age to join the Special Constabulary.

11.  Should I join to become a Police officer?

The majority of Police Community Support Officers do go on to become Police Officers.  You can apply to become a Police Officer at the same time as applying to become a PCSO as the recruitment process is entirely separate.   If you are unsure whether or not a career as a Police officer is for you, becoming a PCSO will enable to gain a very good insight into the role. 

12. How do I get more information?

For Police Officer/PCSO/Special Constabulary packs please contact The Recruiting Team on 01768 217095.