Police Community Support Officers
£26,106
06/10/2024, 23:55
The beating heart of the local community
If you are a people person, who wants to make a real difference to the local community, then you are in the right place.
Our Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) perform a really important role in the police service. Some of the key roles and responsibilities of a PCSO include:
- Communication and negotiation – The role of a PCSO is different to that of a police officer. Your greatest skill is communication and negotiation. You will be key in the community dealing with anti-social behaviour and minor crime, but by being at the forefront of the community, you will encounter varied experiences every day.
- Designated powers – The of a PCSO have several powers and abilities that may be exercised in role. Such as, power to, issue fixed penalty notices for littering, breach of dog control order, seize vehicle used to cause alarm and cycling on a footpath and so many more.
- Building relationships and community engagement – The role is crucial to organising events, building relationships with the public and partner agencies, and dealing with the issues at a very local level in the community.
- Exceptional training – you will receive exceptional training to equip you to deal with suitable incidents in your day-to-day role. You may be called upon to be a credible witness, submit witness statements, conduct minor crime enquiries, and follow up with victims of crime.
This role attracts a shift allowance of 25.49% after training which will bring the salary to £31,273
Recruitment Process
- National application form
- National sift
- Force interview and presentation
- Pre-employment checks including vetting, medical, substance misuse, biometric vetting and references
- Uniform fitting
The dates below set out the time frame for this recruitment process and are subject to change.
Recruitment Open: 02/09/2024
Recruitment Close: 06/10/2024
National Sift: 07/10/2024
In house Interview: Week commencing 28/10/2024
Drugs, Biometric: Week commencing 02/12/2024
Uniform Fitting: 23/12/2024
Cohort Start Date: 24 February 2025
Annual leave will not be approved during the initial weeks of training and protected learning dates. Please email Recruitment@northants.pnn.police.uk to confirm dates before booking any holiday.
Fitness test for PCSO's is not mandatory however, they need to be able to work under pressure and part of a team therefore, we would encourage them to take part as it is seen as a team building exercise. Please refer to this YouTube video https://youtu.be/H4gpR92M9h4 to understand what the requirements are and how to prepare.
Subject to successfully passing the recruitment process, you will be appointed to the role. Please note that successful applicants will undertake seven weeks initial training before being posted onto their dedicated area. Regrettably during this period, no annual leave can be taken.
Helping you through the recruitment process
We know that working for the police can be both exciting and daunting, so we want to help you through the recruitment process as much as possible.
If you have any questions, please contact the recruitment team by emailing recruitment@northants.pnn.police.uk or calling 101, extension 342401.
As a service we are committed to working towards a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we proudly serve. To help us achieve this, we have a dedicated Positive Action Team that ensure we recruit from the widest possible talent, including those from ethnic minority communities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. To find out more please visit www.PositiveActionPolice.co.uk
Northamptonshire Police is a Disability Confident Employer
To find out more about the role of a PCSO, go online at
Join as a PCSO | Northamptonshire Police (northants.police.uk)
Why work for Us?
Northamptonshire Police has real heart. We’re a county force tackling big-city issues, and everyone in our policing family, from frontline officers to police staff, has a part to play in serving our communities by fighting crime and protecting people. If you want an exciting career that offers variety, job satisfaction and the chance to develop and challenge yourself, while improving the lives of others, and all within an organisation that’s forward-thinking and innovative, you’ll find it with us.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion within the organisations where communities are under-represented, including those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions and gender, LGBTQ communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve.
Northamptonshire Police/OPFCC is a Disability Confident Employer – We aim to achieve the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. If you meet the essential criteria for the role you can choose to share your disability if you would like to take part in our disability confident interview scheme.
All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.
Flexible working
All requests for flexible working patterns will be considered and will be dependent on the role.
Recruitment and Selection Policy
Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be offered the role over the remaining internal and external applicants.
Internal applicants must have line manager support prior to proceeding with an application.
Please be aware that the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Northamptonshire Police are separate employers. Although Police internal vacancies are open to OPFCC staff and vice versa, if you are successful, the change of employer will require a longer onboarding process and you will receive a new contract and payroll number. Service with either employer can be carried over as continuous service.
Police Barred and Advisory lists
Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the Police and OPFCC for a minimum of 5 years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or 3 years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.
Vetting and safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure the organisations employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.
This vacancy is closed to applications.
