Community Policing
Police Community Support Officers
This page details information about the powers of Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and their role in policing.
Standard powers for PCSOs
On 8 November 2007, parliament approved the Order SI2007/3202 (new window), which introduced standard powers and duties for all PCSOs from 1 December 2007. This page includes a link to the list of powers for PCSOs, which sets out both the standard powers that apply to all PCSOs and the remaining 'non-standard' or discretionary powers that may be designated by Chief Officers. Further information on the standard powers can be found in the Home Office Circular 33/2007 (new window).
The list of standard powers aims to strike an appropriate balance between the need to maintain the largely non-confrontational, community-engagement role of the PCSO, and the need to ensure that all PCSOs are provided with a robust set of powers that will enable them to contribute most effectively to neighbourhood policing and deal with low-level disorder and anti-social behaviour.
Prior to the parliamentary debates, the Secretary of State carried out the statutory consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities, the Police Superintendents’ Association, the Police Federation, UNISON, the Public and Commercial Services Union and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association. The summary of consultation responses was published on 19 July 2007.
PCSO powers
In May 2007, the Home Office and ACPO carried out an audit of PCSO powers that are designated by force area. The responses have been collated into the matrix of powers - May 2007. The matrix also highlights the responses in relation to those powers that are proposed as standard for all PCSOs under the Police and Justice Act 2006 provisions.
PCSO numbers
Information from forces indicates that, as at the end of April 2007 there were over 16,000 PCSOs in England and Wales. In October 2007, the Home Office published official information on Police Community Support Officer strength by Basic Command Unit (as at 31 March 2007).
PCSO review
On 17 July 2008 the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) published a report on Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
The report is the result of a three month review, commissioned by the Association of Police Authorities (APA), the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Home Office.
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.
Further information (new window) and a copy of the full report (new window) can be viewed on the NPIA website.
PCSO activities report
On 17 July 2008, the Home Office published a report on the activities undertaken by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) while on active duty. The report summarises finding from an analysis of PCSO activity based costing data taken in 2006/07.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance suggests that the fundamental role of a PCSO is to contribute to neighbourhood policing, primarily through highly visible patrol in order to reassure the public, increase public order and be more accessible to communities and partner agencies at the local level.
The results suggests that PCSO activity corresponds well to this guidance. PCSO's spend the majority of their time being highly visible within the community, dealing with minor offences and supporting front-line policing.
Read the full report on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website: Analysis of Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Activity Based Costing (ABC) data: results from an initial review (new window)
