How to become a police community support officer (PCSO) and play a part linking local communities and policing.
Entry routes for police community support officers (PCSO)
PCSOs are non-warranted officers who provide reassurance to local communities by linking into the police service and providing vital support to police officers.
Applications to join as a PCSO should be made to your preferred force and you should check their recruitment pages for opportunities.
Eligibility is also set by each force, so you should check what your preferred force requires before making an application.
Application and assessment process
In-force interview
You will be interviewed by a panel from the force you applied to.
The panel will ask questions based on the Competency and values framework.
The interview is designed to be a professional conversation, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and experience.
The interview will last up to 60 minutes. You will be asked several questions, along with follow-up questions to explore your answers in more detail.
You may be asked different types of questions during your in-force interview including:
- Past-focused questions exploring what you have done in previous situations.
- Future-focused questions to explore what you might so in a specific situation.
- Scenario-based questions where you will be asked to explain how you would respond to a hypothetical job-related situation.
Throughout the interview, the panel will take notes to help them assess your responses. The panel may also interrupt your answer to make sure they understand what you have said or to ask for more information. This is to help prompt you to present as much evidence as possible.
What happens after I join?
Once you have successfully applied to join as a PCSO you will enter an initial learning programme.
Some forces have started running the new learning programmes that enable you to achieve a qualification. A key feature of the new learning is a stronger connection between learning and practice.
The new learning can be:
- level 4 PCSO apprenticeship (England)
- level 4 PCSO apprenticeship (Wales)
- level 4 (non-apprenticeship) PCSO programme
Forces can work with different awarding bodies, and depending on whether this is a higher or further education provider, the qualification could be either a:
- level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice
- level 4 Certificate in Community Policing Practice
The level of learning, the subject areas covered and the achievement of competence required is the same whichever programme the force is running.
You can find out more about apprenticeships:
National PCSO handbook
The PCSO handbook is an operational guide for PCSOs, their supervisors and the wider service; providing guidance on their role and purpose, deployment, relevant legislation and powers.