Police Community Support Officer Recruitment Seminar Tuesday 21 st April 2015

Aims & Objectives Overview of Cheshire Constabulary Role of a PSCO Expectations Overview of the Recruitment process

WE’RE HERE We’re Here is our commitment to the public to address the issues that they tell us are the most important to them. The commitments cover four key areas of our business: We’re Here Where You Need Us, When You Need Us We’re Here for Victims We’re Here for Justice We’re Here for Communities

So you want to be a PCSO? The Standards required of a PCSO are laid out Nationally in the Code of Ethics. As a Police Officer you will need to have the following …. Honesty & Integrity Physical fitness Sensitivity & Tact Communication skills Drive & Determination Rationale when making decisions An ability to work independently and as part of a team

What is the role? Highly visible foot patrols on a local beat Intelligence gathering Managing workload of reported incidents Traffic Management – fixed penalties for tax, controlling traffic e.g. at accidents Act as a professional witness to incidents Support Police Officers – scene preservation Collecting CCTV evidence Attending court

What is the role? Visiting people to reassure them after minor crimes and anti-social behaviour incidents Supporting Crime Prevention Getting involved with key people in the local community Working with partner agencies Organising and attending Community meetings Work with Neighbourhood, Business, Shop Watch schemes Problem solving locally based issues

What is the role? In summary you will NOT… Have powers of arrest Be able to interview or deal with prisoners Investigate serious crime Carry out the more complex and high- risk tasks that Police Officers perform

Expectations of you It is very important that prior to submitting an application to become a PCSO, you consider the following: Be able to undertake a physical job and need to work in all weathers outside often on foot patrol Work shifts covering from 7am to midnight (shift patterns vary by location) Be flexible – changing shifts to meet demands and stay on duty Adhere to the forces core Values – Integrity, Service, Compassion, Professionalism, Fairness & Equality (Race & Diversity) Be aged 18 no upper age limit Have experience of dealing with the public in a formal role Must not be a member of the British National Party, Combat 18 or the National Front

Recruitment Process 1.Complete & submit your application form 2.Application forms will be shortlisted 3.If successful you will be invited to Assessment Centre & Physical Fitness Test 4.If successful you will be invited to a Force Interview 5.Conditional offer 6.Pre-employment checks including biometrics, medical and references 7.If successful you will receive a Final Offer of appointment

Completion of the Application & Vetting Forms Research & prepare prior to completing Ensure that all parts are fully and accurately completed – spelling & grammar Competency Based Questions (CBQ) We are assessing you so be honest Use example from personal, work, social, education You will not be able to apply for a PC role whilst going through the PCSO process

Paper Sifting Residency – 3 year residency rule – applicants who cannot be vetted cannot be appointed Reasons for leaving previous employment Financial position – CCJ’s, IVA’s, Debt Mgt Plan Criminal Convictions If the form is incomplete or illegible you will be rejected (includes declaration) Please speak to Karen Woolley (Force Vetting Investigator) after the Seminar

Assessment Centre Tests can include: Solving problems using different maths calculations and tables for information Listening to information while making notes and then writing this as written statement Problem solving scenario – offering options to solve a community related issue in a short written report Fitness Test – Shuttle run (15 metre track to a series of beeps) Level 5.4 is the minimum.

Interview Different day to the assessment centre Based at Cheshire HQ Panel of three members Last approx. 45 minutes – 1 hour 5 minute presentation (topic given upon invite) You will be asked Questions relating to the PERSONAL QUALITIES relevant to the role Use your own experience and examples to support your answers You will be prompted if required

Final Stages Medical Signed GP statement (fee payable by applicant) Opticians Occupational Health (Medical Appointment) Drug Screening Test Provisional offer of employment made Final vetting/ security checks/ references/ biometrics Uniform fitting Commence Employment

Key Dates (Subject to change): ACTIVITYDATE Q&A Session Friday 24 th April 12-1pm PCSO Advert opens Friday 1 st May 2015 Workshop Friday 1 st May 2015 Q&A Session Monday 11 th May 6-7pm PCSO Advert closes Sunday 17 th May 2015 Assessment Centre & Fitness Test Monday 1 st June 2015 Interviews & Pre-employment w/c 15 th June 2015 Intake Tuesday 1 st September 2015

ANY QUESTIONS