The Mirror Going Undercover as a PCSO

[youngdad33]

Why? We already cover that with the present structure.

What I meant is that the PCSO's would become the local bobby, and the PC would be free for more serious/widespread jobs.  Not sure if that make much more sense... :-?

[rock_candy]

CSOs cannot become the local bobby because they are not Police Officers.

[FiiS]

I think the term bobby is used losely - to many people I am the local bobby!!! I've got more time for a cup of tea and a chat and still attend incidents on the box ...

I agree with issuing PCSOs with CS gas only and for defensive purposes only...

As opposed to offensive?!?

[rock_candy]

Local Bobby = Police Officer

Derived from Robert Peel, founder of the Met.

[youngdad33]

That's the point I was trying (not very well admitedly  :oops: ), to make:
PCSO will eventualy become local police officers, and PC's would be for crime further affield.  This is just the theory put forward by one of my trainners, and one that I see becoming a posibility (maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day... :goggle: )

[timeoff]

I'm currently in trainning for a south eastern county force (don't know if we can say the name) and my trainner reckons that our ACC will push for PCSO's to get more powers and foresees a system similar to France, where you have a municipal Police (local towns), National Police (whole county/area), the Gendarmmes (armed Military style police) and the CRS (riot and organised crimes).  This seems like a reasonable development from my fresh prospective...

Does any of your 'trainning' with your 'trainners' include basic spelling??

[rock_candy]

youngdad, how can a CSO become a Police Officer?

[Chief]

I think what he's saying as that if things go the way they are we'll end up with two tier policing like they have in France, Poland and various other places where you get a municipal type force dealing with low level community-type issues and a national-type force dealing with more 'serious' stuff.

Not too far-fetched really, other countries have been doing it for years. The only difference is whether you call them police, PCSOs, street wardens or whatever.

[Waterford_man]

The reality is that PCSOs have already replaced the local "Bobby".
How many Safer Neighbourhood Officers actually have time to patrol streets, as far as I know most are tasked with duties and local crimes to investigate.

The visible prescence of the law is now through the PCSO who is the kindly ear that 20-30 years ago was provided by a beat bobby who would be more than happy to sit and chat for an hour or so.

[SgtAngel]

The reality is that PCSOs have already replaced the local "Bobby".
How many Safer Neighbourhood Officers actually have time to patrol streets, as far as I know most are tasked with duties and local crimes to investigate.

The visible prescence of the law is now through the PCSO who is the kindly ear that 20-30 years ago was provided by a beat bobby who would be more than happy to sit and chat for an hour or so.

My team (1 PS | 2 PC | 5 PCSOS) are always out and about. Yesterday 4 of us took cycles out and 2 did foot patrol from 5pm until midnight. As the team leader I get to spend a fair few hours reading mind numbing Emails about nothing of relevance, so my patrol time is limited. My team average 25-30 arrests/detentions a month. With that we also research evidence for ASBO's (I've done three this year) and try and solve some of the community issues.

On the ward the PCSO's are the visible presence because they out number the PC's. It is unusual for us all to be on together so we quite often have mixed patrols. My PCSO's are very good in that they know their powers and the police officer powers. There's very little that gets by them and they are not afraid to seek assistance.

[Waterford_man]

MP Fair play to you, I dont believe every SNT is the same though.

Hope you are enjoying your 2 year posting

[SgtAngel]

Hope you are enjoying your 2 year posting

I can't do two years. One will be more than enough.

[Toyota_driving_Kangaroo]

I think the term bobby is used losely - to many people I am the local bobby!!! I've got more time for a cup of tea and a chat and still attend incidents on the box ...

I agree with issuing PCSOs with CS gas only and for defensive purposes only...

As opposed to offensive?!?

As in if the PCSO is attacked, not to be used assist in affecting an arrest...

[Toyota_driving_Kangaroo]

I think what he's saying as that if things go the way they are we'll end up with two tier policing like they have in France, Poland and various other places where you get a municipal type force dealing with low level community-type issues and a national-type force dealing with more 'serious' stuff.

Not too far-fetched really, other countries have been doing it for years. The only difference is whether you call them police, PCSOs, street wardens or whatever.

This much like the Province of Alberta...

Save larger cities such as Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Taber, in the Province of Alberta (Canada), cities, towns, municipal districts and counties do not have their own police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are responsible for policing; however many of the cities, towns, municipal districts and counties have "Community Peace Officers"-Uniformed Law Enforcement Officers empowered to enforce traffic, liquor, tresspassing, tobacco, animal control, some environmental laws, and all municipal bylaws...These "Community Peace Officers" drive vehicles with Red and Blue lights, moving radar, and silent parteners (officer/bad guy dividers)...These "Community Peace Officers" are paid municipal employees, the wear body armour, carry handcuffs and majority of them carry expandable batons and OC spray; a new regulation will allow these "Community Peace Officers" to carry tasers...

Until last year, "Community Peace Officers" in Alberta were called "Municipal Special Constables"...

Here is some pictures of their patrol cars http://policecanada.policecanada.org/Canada/Alberta/AlbertaA/index.html

[Toyota_driving_Kangaroo]

I think what he's saying as that if things go the way they are we'll end up with two tier policing like they have in France, Poland and various other places where you get a municipal type force dealing with low level community-type issues and a national-type force dealing with more 'serious' stuff..

The various Cities in the Geneva Canton in Switzerland have their two tired-policing system like France and Poland...These Geneva Officers are called "Agents de sécurité municipaux", loosely translated to "Municipal Safety Officers" They carry handcuffs and defensive spray, wear grey/grey and white uniforms; these Municipal employees can issue FPN/Summonses for a number of administrative offences against municipal and canton laws, they may also issue FPN for some federal traffic laws...They are prohibited from carrying firearms, using blue lights on vehicles, and wearing uniforms colours that are the same as the police...

The Officers in the white and grey are Municipal Safety Officers, the Officers in the Blue and Grey are Canton of Geneva Police