PCSO

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 10:21 am

What are the qualities that police forces are looking for when they employ Support officers?
What is your perception of them, do you think it differs from that of the general public?
Are they glorified Security Officers?
Should they require a license from the SIA?

The reason I’m asking is to get some background information/feedback as I intend to apply for a position within GMP, which is the largest, force baring the Met. Should anyone prove to be interested I'll post any progress either here or on the Community Wardens site. Laughing

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:49 pm

<Bump>
Just bumping this one up as there has been no response so far.

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:11 pm

Has anyone else seen the call for PCSO's to be given stab jackets and batons? I read somewhere recently that this is apparently the case in certain force areas (can't remember where, if I can find it I'll post a link). This must mean the original thinking behind them has changed somewhat. If it does happen will private security firms who provide street wardens be allowed to equip their officers likewise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:21 pm

This sounds intriguing!
Where's the Batman - LEON, where are you????
I would like to see the argument they put forward for not allowing appropriately trained private security personnel if they are indeed equipping PCSO with batons etc - and we still have that original response from Mr Blunkett the last time we asked him.

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 8:41 pm

Sorry my mistake. Embarassed

I've found the post I originally read. It's not calling for batons and stab vests.Its for C.S and stab vests! For self-defence purposes in certain areas. The idea being a dose of CS will give the PCSO more breathing space to withdraw if under attack. I can see the sense, but surely these guys and gals come under the same umbrella as the rest of out here. Maybe issuing the sprays I mentioned in an earlier article would be a better idea?

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 6:53 pm

A quick reply on my return. PCSO's are not getting batons or CS gas. The media is such a wonderful tool isn't it. Yes a number of them have been issued vests. They are given MET vests dependant on the areas they are working. considering that the Met traffic warden gets them also this is understandable. Street Wardens as a whole do not get them. Considering I am the biggest advocate of vests and wrote the risk assements for my Wardens I could not justify them. One of the reason (sad to say) was our Council Parking Attendants did not wear them and they faced more conflict. Thanks to say that so far my assessment was right. No Wardens stabbed or shot. The role of the Wardens is very different from that of the PCSO's although unless you are involved is very hard to see. When licensing is fully in for manned guarding I will be first to take the fight back to the Home Office about protecting Security personnel. After all I think I was one of the first to routinely carry handcuffs on duty so would like to feel I have an insight.

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:06 pm

i work in security at the moment and we provide our own body armour...ive just applied for a pcso in lancashire and have my assesment in september....ive seen pcso`s in the lancs southern division and they have body armour which is very much neede Very Happy

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Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:54 am

What is the police response to Security Officers in London carrying handcuffs, I know we are not allowed to carry batons, kubotans or any other weapon, we can only protect ourselves with our fists and feet if a fight does start and use resonable force while the bad guy / gal uses whatever force they want and or whatever weapon they want, firearm, knife, bottle, ect.
what is the point in doing a job I love to do when we cannot protect ourselves
any comments
Bigal