Also published besides the policing Green paper, a review of PCSOs from the National Policing Improvement Agency.
he PCSOs were introduced under the Police Reform Act 2002. They are according to the report ‘generally viewed as a success story’. The review though did admit to a ‘lack of career development opportunities for PCSOs. It was clear that staff ‘churn’ presented risks to the potential benefits of PCSOs whose role is primarily to work within a community …’ In other words, good work by support officers in a particular place is for nothing if the officer moves on. And should there be PCSO supervisers, rather than police sergeants looking after PCSOs?
Uniform – how to set apart PCSOs from full constables – seems still a bugbear. It appears to be a reason for what the report called ‘public misunderstanding and confusion’ about the support officers. There are about 16,000 PCSOs compared with 140,000 police officers and 76,000 police (civilian) staff.
The report said that a standard uniform for PCSOs was ‘unrealistic and the potential cost implications would be prohibitive’. And as for equipment, most forces give their PCSOs anti-stab vests: 40 forces
in England and Wales issue protective vests to PCSOs. Issue of other PPE equipment; in-capacitant spray, handcuffs and batons
‘would not be appropriate to the role expected of PCSOs’, and should only be looked at in extreme circumstances.
Another complaint: “There was also a perception by many PCSOs and other front line staff that PCSOs do not receive sufficient training, especially refresher training, in personal safety and conflict management/resolution.” And a volunteer PCSO scheme appears to have no backing, as it would rival the special constabulary.
The report, announced by the Home Secretary with the Policing Green Paper: ‘From the neighbourhood to the national’, also says PCSOs should work alongside regular police officers and partners in responding to local problems and engaging with communities, with limited involvement in enforcement issues.<br><br>It is the result of  a three month review which was commissioned by the Association of Police Authorities (APA), The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Home Office to help establish greater standardisation across all forces on areas such as the role of PCSOs, their recruitment, training, supervision, equipment, uniform and career development. <br><br>It aims to offer greater clarity to the public and police service on the way more than 16,000 PCSOs in England and Wales should be deployed and responds to a number of recommendations contained in Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s report on Policing. <br><br>The review established that forces continue to require some flexibility in how PCSOs are deployed to ensure that concerns and priorities specific to communities and neighbourhoods are addressed. It also concluded greater use could be made of PCSOs to respond better to communities, especially victims and witnesses.<br><br>Chief Constable Peter Neyroud,  the Chief Executive of the NPIA,  said: "PCSOs continue to be an integral part of the wider policing family, providing high-visibility patrolling and offering reassurance to local communities. They are at the heart of neighbourhood policing, which is transforming the way that policing is delivered locally:<br><br>"I am delighted that the NPIA has been able to help service improvement and the review sets out a range of recommendations to reinforce the role of PCSOs and build on the important contribution they already make reassuring communities".<br><br>The NPIA`s Neighbourhood Policing Programme has been tasked to assist forces and partners in the implementation and development of the recommendations and will continue to support ACPO, Home Office and the APA by maintaining oversight and responsibility for the development of the recommendations.<br><br>Commenting <br><br>On the release of the Review of PCSOs, Chief Constable Leicestershire and ACPO lead for Neighbourhood Policing, Matt Baggott, said: "The role of the PCSO has grown in importance as forces have established Neighbourhood Policing throughout England and Wales. They have made significant difference in tackling problems identified by local people when working alongside and complementary to their police officer colleagues. Chief Constables welcome the review and are now determined to build on their success by increasing their use in supporting victims and responding to the issues that matter most to people. We feel there is real potential to continue the improvements we have seen in public confidence and satisfaction." You can download the 36-page report via the link below." <br>
