what do you think of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO`s)?

Answer 1

PCSO's.....I think the need for them to exist shouldn't be around. The government has done everything it can to take regular officers off the streets by giving them more and more paperwork, and this is partly to blame on the general public's misconception that every tiny little thing can be instantly solved by the police. But this isn't saying PCSO's are pointless, far from it.

PCSO's are doing the grass roots policing that has been missing from this country for so long. PCSO's in my force have been given all the powers they need to enforce the law, either by detaining (which incidentally is the same as a PC's power of arrest), issuing fixed penalties for minor offences, assisting at road accidents, breaking down doors to save life and limb, seizing uninsured, unroadworthy motor vehicles form people who aren't even old enough to smoke and helping to positively identify offenders who could only ever be identified by someone on the street.
The other week for example, whilst on patrol I was asked to view some CCTV of an offence taking place. Within 30 seconds of the tape being played all the offenders were identified. Within 10 minutes they had all been tracked down, details taken and one of them is now awaiting court.
2 PCSO's detained 3 youths last night for an assault, simply because they were in the right place at the right time. I regularly approach groups of 15 or more and take their beer off them, with no more protection than Joe Public, except maybe a stab proof vest. All because I know it's what the public want. They don't give 2 craps about terrorists, or organised crime or murders. They care about youths on the street, nuisance motorbikes, speeding drivers, criminal damage and burglaries, the things that actually affect them.
Yes, we don't have as many powers, but to have more powers would see us taken off the streets as well. My arrest for criminal damage was over with, as far as I'm concerned after half an hour. The PC assigned is still dealing with it and about 30 other jobs. All the time I'm back out on the street trying to keep ingrates like you safe.

Answer 2

To correct Bushraider, PCSO's do not have any power of arrest. No more than any ordinary citizen. Special's, however, have exactly the same powers as a regular officer.

As for what I think of PCSOs. Those I know do a very difficult job because of their limitations. What I do not understand is why the government is investing money in PCSOs when a trainee constable earns less? I suppose it does give the impression of having more feet on the street and under the policy of neighbourhood policing that is ok. However, I do question the philosophy behind policing that seems to put more work into building relations with the public than coming down hard on the real criminals. Is the implementation of PCSOs more of a PR action I wonder? I suppose time will tell but I get the feeling that in some ways we've been here before ony to revert back to the tried and trusted ways we've known for a long time. Regular officers out doing what they know best.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Most of the above answers are not founded on the facts.

PCSOs have the same stop/search/arrest powers as a "proper" police officer, although they have less actual input into what happens etc. They are a cost effective way of increasing the visible police presence without having to spend millions of pounds recruiting & training Constables.

One of the above answers refers to "Hobby Bobbies" which is wrong - that is a derogatory term for Special Constables, who part-time are volunteers (and probaly a little bit strange).

Personally, I welcome the increase in police presence, although I do consider that it is more cost-driven than anything else, but am concerned that proper PCs will ultimately become "Beat Managers", desk-bound and constrained by even more paperwork, whilst the PCSO's become the police's sole presence on the streets.

Answer 5

Sounds like a good idea but another Blair failure. They are only taken seriously in a law abiding community. In our locality we NEVER see them except on nice sunny days in the middle of the mornings or afternoons strutting their stuff (before the schools turn out!). The area does not feel safer, anti-scoial behaviour is on the increase and when there is trouble - not a PCSO in sight.

Answer 6

I honestly think it's an effort to enhance the Police image by Mollie Coddling the public who are down on the Police and are cutting budgets like crazy. A lot of departments are trying to improve their "Good Guy" image. I think many departments are realizing that they can't just do their jobs, they now have to do them by being "Nice" about it or John Q Public's feelings might get hurt and John Q Public might be the brother of the Select Board or City Mayor of some other moron who controls the strings on the Police budget. Man, I hate Politics.

Answer 7

Where I live we have PCSO's on the streets and it nice to see a freindly booby, and they all seem to be fit females officers, now all I need to do is something bad to get the handcuffs out.

Answer 8

i'm effective they do in some areas, besides the fact that those in our city are nicely accepted for 'patrolling' the streets. Our community is not sure how lots they are in a position to confirm while they're sat in shops having cups of tea! it particularly is a shaggy dog tale even between the police rigidity in the city that particular shops have vast biscuit tins.

Answer 9

Can not see the point they have no powers of arrest or detention and if they are getting paid up to 25k why not spend the money on real Police Officers on the streets

Answer 10

I have never seen one of these strange creatures, who are they ? What do they do?
Why haven`t I seen one? are they only in the towns ?
Still, I suppose they wouldn`t be much use out on the wild moor, there aren`t any police there for them to support.