Printer friendlyPCSO
Overview
There is currently a pause in PCSO recruitment. Please check this site regularly for details of when we will be recruiting in the future.
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, there are four 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)
- Station PCSO (carrying out initial investigation and recording of crime)
- 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 role (London's central parks)
After the successful completion of the probationary period PCSOs are able to specialise in the following area:
- 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 can apply to work full-time, part-time, as part of a job share, or seasonally, 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.
