What do people think of police community support officers,no stupid answers please.?

Pat R

With not enough officers to pound the beat,I feel a lot safer with them around,mainly because I know they can get back- up quickly if anything happens.

Dr Watson (UK)

Cheap way of policing the streets. No real authority just a uniform that the government hope will give the optical illusion that we have more police on the beat. No offence to CSP's meant.

Robin C

Anything is better than nothing. I can't remember when I last saw a policeman in our town and the police station is only open for a few hours a day. I don't blame the police it is the politicians who could put things right if they wanted to.

futuretopgun101

Instead of giving people uniforms, train them properly and give them the ability to arrest people and investigate crime.
They dont have any more powers of arrest then you or me.
Its just a stupid government money saving exercise.

203

My concern is that they will be increasingly used as a cheaper alternative to police officers. The government has hinted at a desire to increase their powers.

It's also a job without prospects. Where do you go once you become a PCSO? There is no rank promotion or seniority structure to progress through. There is no diversification into other roles. I know dedicated PCSO's that feel a little frustrated by this when they see all those things available to the police officers they work alongside.

gordon3392

They are better than no police present,,,,

special_structure

There is one in Lewes who is hot, thats quite good

joan k

Cheap labour because the government won't spend money on employing proper Police Officers. As far as I am aware they have no legal powers of arrest. They are just there to make the streets look good, but it's not working they are a joke.

cahscout

Plastic Policemen should go back to where they come from, Bill and Ben the flowerpot men

Fiddlesticks

They are 'alsorans'

MANCHESTER UK

PCSO's cost the Service more than a Special Constable and less than a Regular Police Officer. That's the real answer.
Taking each in turn:
A Special Constable has exactly the same powers as his counterpart Regular but the difference is that the Special gets no pay for this Civic Duty.
So why not employ Special Constables? Most of the existing Specials have a full time job and do their Police work in their spare time. Hmm. that means some other person has to do it - a PCSO of course.
Now, the Regular Police Officer receives very good training and that costs. He is expected to be there when called by his superiors. He will get a pension at retirement.
PCSO's receive a salary and will also get a pension. The Special gets nothing. Well, that's not strictly true. He does get a small contribution to buy shoes and is provided with uniform but still no pension is paid at retirement.
PCSO's do a valuable job 'showing the flag' but their powers should be those of the Special because they are closer to the action, could really make a job of it by taking the villainy out of street violence and graffiti and supplementing the Regular service. OH! The Police Federation would be horrified because their complement would not increase (they want more Regulars) and the cry would then be 'cheap labour' when it perhaps should be 'Bring back the Specials!'

bert

Ineffectual play coppers.

cheeky chappie

The trouble is ...that some of these wanna-bees are on a power trip....and can probably cause alot of palava over some kid riding his bike on the path..etc etc .........just to get some brownie points.......... .

The visual thing probably re-assures the average citizen(good for car boot sales and village fetes)...but are not respected or recognized at all by the criminal element.Would you expect them to be patrolling a tower block ghetto?.Na.
Yoy,ll see them patrolling car parks for tax evaders....or operating speed guns and setting up speed traps.Or wandering around the safer streets in safer areas.

Some people see them as a poor choice for policing neighbourhoods.You might aswell set up " mobile snitching units".................giving a walkie talkie to honest.law abiding citizens..........perhaps the unemployed people .
Heres ya radio....ya getÂ£150- Â£250-Â£300 a week....a patrolling beat in your area...a new pair of shoes...top hat and tails.....a free mountain bike and map of area to cover........and a cash bonus for finding criminal activity. There ya go...jobsa a goodun.Have one on every street corner.
Too many people on this power trip thingy these days....i fear bumping into the power trip puppets more than i do walking past some teenagers/hoodies outside the chip shop. This is what may happen..........
Where you going?Why go this way? What you doing? Whats your name? Empty your pockets ! Its all coming soon.You were doing 32 mph in a 30.....lol
This country is going to be ruined...and this "control society" culture will become worse...taser guns and pepper spray today...............bazooka"s and hand grenades tomorrow.
The Government are backing the police all the way....and ultimately this will destroy life as we know it......more laws...more rules......................and more "fines" going into the coffers. We,ll squash the quality of life not only in this country....we,ll even ruin the life of people in other countries too.... Iraq etc Theres no more fun anymore....this is serious stuff..You want fun in your community? Errrr....Write to the council.
From community support officers..to police...to the armed forces.....the government will use all the power they have.........We,ll flood this country of people from anywhere...then we,ll employ more law enforcers and then we,ll start the manhunt ..........finding who the criminals are....(who we shouldn,t of allowed in).... One big mess.

perro.faldero

A waste of money. Firstly, in order to get one PSCO on the street (someone who actually gets through Hendon), it costs Â£80,000 in advertising. Secondly, they have minimal powers and because Joe Public knows this, they are met with mockery. Thirdly, despite the fact they can't enforce sod-all , they are often paid more than actual police officers who risk their lives!! It is insulting!

Mr Abba

I think they are doing a good job, some of them.

Bertie

In my opinion PCSO presence is better than no presence. Not all situations need a Police Officer in attendance when a PCSO can fulfill that role. They should be given all the support and tools necessary and to some of you answering, I know numerous PCSO's who have no inclination to join the Police with all the grief it can bring. They want the role they have and can provide numerous benefits.

However, I feel the true question should be what implications does it have for the future, this is how I personally see it developing.

I believe the Police organisation is heading towards a two or three tier Police Force. Policy already defines crime as level one, two or three being local, cross border and international.
PCSO's will eventually gain the powers available to sworn Officers and it is quite likely they will become the front line while Sworn Officers deal with level 2 crime.

An illustration of this can be seen in Spain with the Policia Local, Policia Nacional and Guardia Civil all having various responsibilities.

A . Z .

Actually v.gd idea. Cheaper than the police and frees up the police time for more serious crime. Also they do have an air for respect as they are less forceful than the police give a more considerate approach and sometimes that succeeds more? Think about it why would a police arrest someone on a minor incident? Because the police antogonised that person.

noruleschris

A really good use of those not quite clever or fast enough to be policemen.

angrymammal

They could serve a useful purpose, so long as they do not become "Police Lite"

jamand

Waste of time, money and training - useless! Only good for school crossing patrols - they are hopeless and only there to make up the numbers very ineffectively.

Traffic Wardens with yellow vests basically

Condor

It is stupidddddddddddddddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!...

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