Police Community Support Officers Their role, responsibilities and powers

History Identified gap in Neighbourhood Policing Identified gap in Neighbourhood Policing Police Reform Act 2002 Police Reform Act 2002 Hampshire recruited 2005 Hampshire recruited 2005 April 2006 first intake for NPT April 2006 first intake for NPT

ACPO Core Responsibilities 1. To provide high level of patrols (80%) 2. Prevent crime and anti-social behaviour 3. Provide public reassurance 4. Reduce the fear of crime 5. Provide a contact point for the public

Hampshire Role Profile Familiar and visible reassuring presence through foot patrol (80%) and community engagement Familiar and visible reassuring presence through foot patrol (80%) and community engagement Point of contact for residents and businesses Point of contact for residents and businesses To tackle quality of life issues a member of the public may feel is too trivial to speak to a police officer about To tackle quality of life issues a member of the public may feel is too trivial to speak to a police officer about To deal with low level crime and anti-social behaviour (which does not require investigation) using a problem solving approach To deal with low level crime and anti-social behaviour (which does not require investigation) using a problem solving approach

Deployment strategy Strategy formulated in consultation with; Control Room Inspectors and Sergeants, Control Room Inspectors and Sergeants, Neighbourhood Policing Project Team, Neighbourhood Policing Project Team, Training and Development, Training and Development, PCSO Strategic Management Team. PCSO Strategic Management Team.

Detention Powers PCSO’s have the power to detain any person who they reasonably cause to believe has committed a ‘relevant’ offence, and has refused to give their name and address, or, the authenticity of the name and address is in doubt. PCSO’s have the power to detain any person who they reasonably cause to believe has committed a ‘relevant’ offence, and has refused to give their name and address, or, the authenticity of the name and address is in doubt. 30 minute detention (using reasonable force if nec.) to await the arrival of a PC. 30 minute detention (using reasonable force if nec.) to await the arrival of a PC.

Arrest Powers Any person power of arrest Any person power of arrest Relates to Indictable Offences only Reasonable cause to suspect person is in the act of committing Reasonable cause to suspect person is in the act of committing When I.O. has been committed, R.C.S. person committed the offence When I.O. has been committed, R.C.S. person committed the offence AND there is justification for the arrest (SOCPA) AND it is not reasonably practicable for a Constable to arrest instead

Further Powers PCSO’s have a number of other powers including; seizing alcohol and tobacco, seizing alcohol and tobacco, maintaining cordons during terrorist incidents, and maintaining cordons during terrorist incidents, and an array of fixed penalty notice offences from dog fouling to fireworks offences. an array of fixed penalty notice offences from dog fouling to fireworks offences.

Enforcement v Community Engagement There is a conflict in within the PCSO role profile. PCSO’s are expected to engage with the public and problem solve. Too much enforcement by a PCSO will lead to them being isolated from their community. It is, therefore envisaged that their use of FPN’s etc, will be minimal and only as a last resort. PCSO’s have NO PPE. As such involvement in any public order incident, or violent situation must be risk assessed and should be avoided where possible.

PCSO SOLAP Similar to Probationer Constable SOLAP. Similar to Probationer Constable SOLAP. Approx. 5 weeks tutoring period. Approx. 5 weeks tutoring period. There are 5 PCSO NVQ units in the SOLAP plus another 7 non mandatory Police NVQ units There are 5 PCSO NVQ units in the SOLAP plus another 7 non mandatory Police NVQ units Action Plan where necessary. Action Plan where necessary. Performance reviews at 6 months and 12 months to be carried out by line manager. Performance reviews at 6 months and 12 months to be carried out by line manager.