The Chief Police Officers’ View of PCSOs

Chief Police Officers have a very positive view of the developing role of PCSOs.

In the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) policy on PCSOs, they cover their vision of the role of PCSOs

‘ PCSOs have been introduced to help bridge a gap between public demand for the reassurance and contact provided by uniformed police officers patrolling on foot in light of increasing demands placed upon the service generally.

Other potential benefits of PCSOs include an increase in the police service’s ability to engage with local communities by having patrol staff locally employed and locally deployed and increasing the diversity of our workforce.

The following represents the ACPO position on the role of PCSOs within the police service adopted by “Chief Constables’ Council in January 2005”. It should be borne in mind when considering how to develop the role of PCSOs within forces.

The fundamental role of the PCSO is to contribute to the policing of neighbourhoods, primarily through highly visible patrol with the purpose of reassuring the public, increasing orderliness in public places and being accessible to communities and partner agencies working at local level. The emphasis of this role, and the powers required to fulfil it, will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood and force to force.

As the role of PCSOs develops in the light of legislative changes, forces may wish to explore the scope of powers appropriate to be delegated. There is an expectation that their role will develop to encompass a wider range of duties some of which, until very recently, have been the preserve of sworn police officers. While we would encourage the development and expansion of the role of PCSOs, we believe it should always remain within the framework of neighbourhood policing with an emphasis on engagement as opposed to enforcement and, for the sake of clarity, distinction should be made between the role of a PCSO and that of a sworn police officer.’

They also cover circumstances which they feel are inappropriate for PCSOs to deal with;

‘It is ACPO’s view that only sworn police officers are appropriate for the following circumstances: -

Wherever there is a clear likelihood that a confrontation will arise. However, PCSOs should have sufficient support, equipment and training to cope safely with confrontations that arise spontaneously in the course of their primary role of patrol, reassurance and tackling anti-social behaviour.

Where there is scope for exercise of a high degree of discretion – for example, where a situation is complex owing to a number of different parties involved, where there is particular sensitivity within a community about police action, or where a large range of enforcement options are available;

Where police action is likely to lead to a higher than normal risk of harm to anyone;

Where there is a clear likelihood that police action will include any infringement of a person’s human rights - for example intruding into their privacy or deprivation of their liberty (beyond the temporary detention period available to PCSOs);

Where the incident is one which is likely to lead to significant further work, or other activity being undertaken which has the potential to impact adversely upon the PCSOs fundamental role to undertake visible patrol duties.

In short, PCSOs have rapidly established a unique role for themselves within the police service, which is best seen as a complement to, not a replacement for, the role of sworn police officers.’