Police Community Support Officers

Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) are civilian members of police staff who are employed, managed and tasked by the police to support operational police officers. PCSO’s provide a visible uniformed patrol presence, dealing with low-level anti-social behaviour and giving public reassurance. PCSO’s do not have the same powers as a Police Officer.

PCSO’s get involved with:

Issuing fixed penalty tickets for minor anti-social behaviour;
consumed in designated no-drinking areas;
Confiscating tobacco from young people;
Seizing vehicles that are being used to potentially harm other people.

PCSO’s do not replace police officers but provide assistance to allow them to make more effective use of their specialist skills and training. Full training is given to enable PCSO’s to take appropriate action in the event of difficult circumstances; they are supervised by police officers and have radio access in order for them to call for assistance should it be required.

For more information about Neighbourhood Policing Teams in your area, please visit the Wiltshire Police website at www.wiltshire.police.uk