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Police community support officer

Alternative titles for this job include PCSO, community support officer, CSO

Police community support officers (PCSOs) work in neighbourhood policing teams to prevent crime and tackle anti-social behaviour.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£29,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Police community support officer

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Police Community Support Officer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship normally takes between 1 and 2 years to complete. It is a mix of class-based learning with on-the-job training.

Get in touch with your local police force for information about apprenticeship vacancies.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Volunteering

The skills you learn through volunteering in the community can be useful when you apply for training or jobs. There are lots of different volunteering roles, such as police support officer or special constable.

Contact your local police force about opportunities.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to become a police community support officer. Employers will be interested in you as a person. For example, good communications skills are very important.

You'll need a good level of spoken and written English, and some police forces may ask for English GCSE at grade 4 (C).

Each police force has its own selection process, which will usually include:

  • written tests
  • an interview
  • fitness tests
  • an interactive task to see how you work with other people

More Information

Career tips

Great value is placed on personal qualities like:

  • honesty
  • fairness
  • leadership
  • professionalism

Further information

You can find out more about the role of a police community support officer from the College of Policing.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • leadership skills
  • negotiation skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You will need the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions.

A driving licence may also be required.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a police community support officer, you'll:

  • carry out foot and cycle patrols in the community
  • support crime prevention schemes and deal with anti-social behaviour
  • make house-to-house enquiries to reassure people and gather intelligence
  • deal with minor offences and issue fixed penalty notices
  • build links with local schools, businesses and community groups
  • provide support at large public events and demonstrations

Working environment

You could work in the community or on a patrol.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

The training and experience you get as a police community support officer (PCSO) can help if you want to move into other areas of police work.

For instance, to become a police officer, you'll apply in the normal way but your manager may be able to arrange some work shadowing beforehand.

You can also use your skills and experience to mentor and train new PCSOs.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Police community support officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Public Services First Certificate

  • Provider: BEXHILL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Bexhill on Sea

Public Services Diploma level 2

  • Provider: ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Newport
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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