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Police Community Support Officers (or PCSOs) inspire confidence on the streets of Essex.
They strive to make our communities safer and stronger yet perform one of the most demanding roles in the modern police force.
PCSOs don’t have powers of arrest and they don’t carry handcuffs or a baton. They rely on their ability to understand and communicate with some of the most challenging people in some of the most difficult situations.
As a result we're looking for special qualities.
Put yourself in the shoes of a PCSO. These are some of the issues you may have to resolve:
How would you deal with a group of binge drinkers dancing in the street?
What would you do to re-build the confidence of an elderly couple who were burgled last week?
How would you handle young people using a shopping centre as an indoor cycle track?
PCSOs work within neighbourhood policing teams helping to solve local issues by getting out in the community, meeting people and offering advice and support to people who live and work in the neighbourhood.
PCSOs deal with minor offences and support front-line policing. They do not make arrests, conduct interviews, deal with prisoners or investigate serious crime. PCSOs go out on solo patrols which means they will be expected walk their areas alone.
As a PCSO you can expect to:
Essex Police PCSOs work 37 hours per week full time (on occasion part time vacancies arise so we are happy to consider applications from candidates wishing to work Part Time).
Starting salary is £23,100 per annum although PCSOs are entitled to a shift allowance of around 12.5 per cent once they have completed their initial training.
The exact allowance depends on shift pattern and the division they work in.
No formal qualifications are required.
However, applicants will need to pass all elements of the recruitment and selection process to a level we're satisfied with.
PCSOs may encounter stressful situations, trauma, physical confrontation and work long hours on a variable shift pattern.
They need to be resilient enough to cope with the demands and pressures of the role so applicants should be in good health mentally and physically.
You will undergo a medical examination to ensure you meet the health standards required, including eyesight.
Take a look at the medical standards for more information about some of the conditions that can exclude you and those that are acceptable.
Select the link below to begin your application.
The closing date for applications is 27 March 2023.