PCSO/Overview

We are now inviting applications for the PCSO role.

Please complete your application form by hand in BLOCK CAPITALS using black ink. To save paper, please print two sides to a page. Post your completed application form and competency assessment form to:

PCSO Recruitment Centre
Simpson House
Peel Centre Hendon
Aerodrome Road
London, NW9 5JE

Should you experience any difficulty downloading the application form or competency assessment form, please call the Recruitment Call Centre on 0845 727 2212, Mon-Fri 9am-4pm.

PCSOs were introduced into London in 2002 to provide the city with an increased visible police presence and to enable regular Police Officers to make more effective use of their specialist skills and training – tackling crime, making communities safer.

Broadly speaking, these are the different kinds of role for London's PCSOs, all based on relating with the community and providing a reassuring visible presence:

• Safer Neighbourhoods role (focusing on crime and antisocial behaviour).

• Safer Transport role (dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour on buses).

• Security role (public safety and security)

• Transport role (dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour on buses and in addition free flow of traffic)

• Parks (London's central parks)

After the successful completion of the probationary period PCSOs are able to specialise in the following areas:

• Station PCSO

• Victim PCSO

For more details on these roles please see the PCSO Guidance Notes.

PCSOs generally perform routine duties, assisting and supporting Police Officers, gathering intelligence, carrying out security patrols and, through their presence alone, reassuring the public. Where possible, they also attend to matters not requiring police powers.

Depending on which role you take, you could be trained and called upon to do any number of tasks, including:

Providing support at ceremonial and special events
Responding to major incidents and security alerts
Making house-to-house enquiries
Directing traffic, removing vehicles
Issuing fixed penalty notices

You will be able to work full-time, part-time, as part of a job share, or seasonably, depending on your circumstances. And while you will ultimately be posted to a particular borough, should you be successful in the selection process your location preferences will be taken into account when considering where to post you. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to post you in accordance with your preferences.