Police Community Support Officer
Job description
Are you somebody who enjoys building relationships and talking to people? Do you like solving problems and thinking on your feet? Would you like to know that every day, you are making a difference to people’s lives?
If you answered ‘yes’ to the above questions, then consider the role of Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) with Bedfordshire Police. The policing family is an exciting and diverse workforce and we have many different roles within the force, which includes PCSO. Within this role you will be giving vital support to vulnerable people and victims of crime within our communities, working with both young and old building trust and relationships between the public and the police. You will work alongside regular officers in a dedicated community policing team to help embed neighbourhood policing across the county. We will work with you to maximise and hone your existing skills to help you reach your potential and maintain the highest possible levels of public safety.
Becoming a PCSO can also be an entry route in to policing, if you do not have the relevant qualifications for our PCDA- Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship route, then by completing at least two years as a PCSO you would be deemed as having the necessary experience, and would be equivalent to the level 3 qualification required, (GCSE qualifications would still be needed for the PCDA route).
You will need a current full UK manual driving licence.
If you wish to apply to start your career as a PCSO, complete the online application form by the closing date. This is a competency-based application form, so you will need to provide detailed evidence against each of the questions. Remember that the individuals reviewing your application do not know you, so this is your opportunity to impress them. Further guidance can be found in the attached document. For each of the competency-based questions, please give us a specific example and some good detail on what you did in that situation.
If your application is shortlisted you will then be invited to undertake a competency-based interview. If successful following these stages your pre-employment checks will include vetting, medical and references. Successful candidates will also be required to pass a fitness test (level 5.4 on the bleep test) as they are expected to be on active patrol (on foot or bicycle) for their eight-hour shift.
Due to this role involving shift work, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment with our Occupational Health Unit.
Please note that we are looking to fill intakes over the next year, so your start date may not be immediately after all your checks are complete.
If you have had an unsuccessful application for this role within the last six months, you will be currently ineligible to apply.
