Do Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) have the power of arrest?

Big Bad Boris Mayor of London

No they have to ask a real Policeman for that!

ANYONE Can make a citizens arrest and PCSO's cannot make a Police arrest CLEAR ENOUGH?

gaz

Can a PCSO arrest me?

No, that is not part of their role. However, a PCSO can issue fixed penalty notices for a range of offences from littering to disorder, confiscate alcohol if necessary, stop vehicles as part of a road check and perform a range of other duties. A PCSO can detain a person for up to 30 minutes while they wait for police attendance, and they are always in contact with the police control room via their radio.

Yellabowley

No they have no power of arrest, just the power of detention. They can perform a citizens arrest as anyone else can.

ALLEN B

Yes, as does any UK citizen.

CHRIS W

They do not have a power of arrest but have a power of detention for up to 30 minutes. If for whatever reason a police officer has not attended to fully arrest you within that time they have to let you go.

Doctor John

Every citizen has the power of arrest

badshotcop

They have citizen's power of arrest and police power of detention.
A detention can be made if:
They suspect a relevant offence has ocurred, suspect you of being guilty of that offence AND

You refuse details or give details that are believed to be false.
Once a person has been detained a PCSO (in some areas) can use force to prevent you from making off and is allowed to keep you for 30 minutes until a PC arrives.

If the 30 minutes is up then they must release you, or use their citizen's power of arrest if another offence has come to light in the meantime. ie if they search you and find a big knife in your pocket you will be detained indefenitely.

I know that the requirement to summon help is looked on with disdain, however there is no difference than if a PC on foot made an arrest and called up for a van

Hope this helps.

For the people below, PCSO's in the BTP and North Wales forces have been given handcuffs.

HonestTom

No, our dear "plastic police" can only detain you for half an hour whilst they await a real copper (a holder of the Queen's Warrant) to put down the bacon sandwich, leave the station canteen and brave the mean streets to do the deed.

bert

No,they are just "play coppers "

Vindicaire

No they cannot...but that why they have radios....and notice that the have duty belts with chemical agent, an ASP, and handcuffs? They can help out Officers when requested and they can call for help whenever...and Officers will come running just as fast as if an Officer called for help.

To be able to make an arrest a person has to go through a lot of schooling, take the licensing exams, get certified, etc.

rick_wenham

PSCO's what ever you feel about them do NOT have a power of arrest.

However, under police legeslation rushed in to legitimise PCSO's they have a power of detention until a warranted police officer arrives to carry out a lawfull arrest. (Makes PCSO's even more useless !) some even are authorised to use handcuffs to make the detention effective.

If a person assaults a PCSO while they are trying to detain them they still commit the offence of assualt on police (if the detention was lawfull in the 1st place)

So no to arrest, but yes to detention for 30 minutes !

who says PCSO's are policing on the cheap !

charlsyeh

very simple answer. if they are not a certified policer they can not make any type of arrest

effenel

A lot of people are saying that only a Police Officer can make a proper arrest. Erm, if that is the case, can anyone explain a proper arrest and a not so proper arrest.

Any person in the UK can make a Citizens Arrest. But, they have to follow some simple rules.

The law states that any person can arrest, without warrant, a person who has committed an arrestable offence. However, only a Police Officer can arrest on suspicion.

As for a PCSO? They can arrest you, but can only DETAIN you for up to 30 mins. And to be honest, I doubt that they would as in the UK no PCSO has been given authority to wear or use any form of restraints (yet!)

shadowman

Only insofar that an ordinary citizen does. But, I think they would be more able to arrest someone without being done for assault as we would !

capa-de-monty

i believe so

Mr Abba

They cant arrest you.

chimp

as far as i know they can arrest you and then ask for backup off normal coppers, have you been a naughty girl then?

the_tent_man36

Why? have you been cheeky?

ann113599

Yes i think they do.

NutstersChick

everyone has the power to arrest someone,
by making a "citizens arrest ".
PCSO are just using that right.

Yogi bear

If someone if wanted for police questioning about another incident and I didn't see them commit a crime, can I detain them forceably as a citizens arrest?

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