PCSOs: more information

Age limit

You are eligible to apply if you are 17 or older but you must be 18 years before you can be appointed as a PCSO within Cleveland Police. There is no upper age limit.

Fitness test

Although you are not required to complete a fitness test as part of the recruitment process, applicants must be in good health physically and mentally. You will need to undergo a medical screening process with our internal Occupational Health Unit. 

Eligibility

You need to be able to demonstrate all of the below four elements:

• You must be 17 years or over when you submit an application form (you must be 18 by the time you are appointed)
• You must be a British citizen, a citizen of Switzerland, a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK and has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or has EU settled status.
• Ability to pass pre-employment checks
• Ability to pass a level 4 qualification

Tattoos 

You must not have tattoos on your hands, neck, forearms or face that could be offensive. You will be required to upload images to your application of any tattoos on these areas.

Shift patterns

The current shift pattern for PCSOs covers 7 days a week during the hours of 8.00 am – midnight

However, during your initial training period, you will only be required to work Monday to Friday, 8am - 4.30pm.

Progression to the regular force

As the role of PCSO is very different to the role of a regular force officer, there is no natural progression or easy entrance into the regular force. As it is a national process, you would have to apply in the standard way.

Location

Applicants need to be aware that they will be expected to serve within the Cleveland force area. However every effort is made to take personal needs and circumstances into account where possible. It is worth noting that there will need to be a balance between personal and organisational needs.

Work hours

As the role currently comes under a support staff role, the designated hours are 37 per week.

Part-time work

During your initial training programme, you would be expected to work full time, Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm.

Any requests for flexible working to reduce hours after the training stage would need to be considered on a case by case basis.

If potential refusal of a request to work part time would change your decision to apply, please call to discuss your personal circumstances with the Recruitment Team via 01642 301234 (Option 2) or e-mail us. 

Annual leave

All new starters are entitled to 24 days per year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 after 5 years service. You will not be able to request annual leave within your initial training period.

Lone working

A lot of the work of a PCSO is done alone, although there may be times when you are partnered or in a group, however, you will be expect to be work by yourself on a regular basis.

Development opportunities

Currently, there are no progression opportunities in terms of promotion opportunities. However, as the role is so varied, you will have the opportunity to attend many different situations and work on different areas within your team.

Equipment

You will be provided with a uniform that will include items such as sliders, a hat, shirt, trousers, body armour, radio, torch and a pocket book holder. You will not be provided with any specialist equipment that is assigned to regular force officers.

Uniform

There is a specialist PCSO uniform that will be supplied during the training period.

Pay

PCSOs receive a basic salary of £24,222 - £28,653 plus a plus 14% shift allowance and 261.62 hours weekend working enhancement per annum (successful applicants would normally be appointed on the bottom of the salary grade).

Your pay will increase yearly following successful completion of your 12 month probationary period.

Tasks

The primary role of a PCSO is to provide a highly visible reassuring presence within the neighbourhoods of Cleveland, working as part of a Neighbourhood Policing Team to support the problem solving initiatives developed by the team.

Specific tasks of a PCSO include:

• Engagement with the community
• Problem solving and reassurance
• Supporting regular officer at some types of Incidents.

Your manager

Your line manager will be the Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant, however you will be working as part a Neighbourhood Policing Team which includes police officers.