PCSO's and Commnity Policing

[devil3682]

I saw a story in the press today having a go at PCSO's showing a pic of one on a swing playing with the kids.

Now I am a Local Beat Manager (I think that's the title). I work with two PCSO's and everyone on the estate knows their names and when I double up with them it's amazing to see how many people they know criminals and decent folk and how many folk know them. I work on the most deprived estate in the city but these PCSO's don't get any stick and are really well liked, we walked into the local junior school today and the sound of all the kids shouting his name was amazing even the kids of the most prolific offenders on the estate really like him.

Now I see them playing football with the kids in the park and interacting with all levels of society, having a laugh and talking to people . They regularly come back with good intel which I can directly act on and I have detected some really good jobs due to the information received from my PCSO's.

The press seem to have an issue with the role at the moment as the last gripe I think was 1 crime every six years detected by a PCSO, but so far on paper the two I work with have not solved any crimes but without them I wouldn't have such a good detection rate but the press obviously fail to look at this perspective.

The main reason for this post is to say what is wrong with a PCSO sitting on a swing talking to kids getting to know them and building relationships at an early age, something that we PC's struggle to do due to being tied up investigating crimes and being kept off the streets? 

[slimjim]

Not sure the PCSO as an idea per se is necessarily a bad thing. Yes, they may be able to get 'into' the community better than some coppers who have no time due to pressures of response/investigation etc. However, the main problem most (response?) officers have with PCSOs are that they are being employed in place of police officers. This means that as neighbourhood policing is rolled out more and more, with marching armies of PCSOs coming on board, the response officer is becoming more and more marginalised, with ever increasing pressure to perform.

I have to ask you the question, would you be happy to see police officers playing on swings with the local hoodlums? It would not sit at all comfortably with me, as it crosses the line that separates the authority and professionalism of the uniformed police officer from the general public. It somehow doesn't seem as much of an issue if it is a PCSO doing it - maybe that is a reflection of the different status between the two.

Anyhow, interesting post!!

[Chief]

Regardless of what you think of the PCSO system, I'd say that getting youngsters to interact in a positive way with some kind of authority, be thatteacher, PCSO or police officer at a young age has got to be a good thing 'cos sure as hell the parents won't get them to.

[PTCOP]

It sounds like you have two excellent officers there.

To be able to interact with all levels of society day in day out is a real skill. If they're bringing in the intel to enable you to act aswell, then so much the better.

My experience is mixed, some good, some not so.

I guess the point is if they get to the local hoodlums at such an early age that they don't become hoodlums or can minimise anti social behaviour then it has to be a good thing, difficult to measure, but good.

Its the starfish on the beach syndrome, it might be a small win, but it makes a difference to the people involved.

[busterbloodvessel]

Excellent story, Devil.

You need to write these two up for some kind of award or commendation. I know they're only doing their job, but if they get the feeling they aren't valued they'll move on and you may get a couple of numpties in their place. Also, tell everyone about their good work. Maybe your force's newsletter, and/or the local rag?

The "one every three years" thing is completely missing the point, as PCSOs aren't paid to detect crime, that's a job for police officers. What they are doing, it would appear, is making your job easier.

[IMARLOW]

Makes a refreshing change to read something positive about PCSO's.
To me what these two are doing is both worthwhile and proactive, and dare i say precisely what they should be doing.
As a MOP i dont expect to see Police Officers walking their beat anymore, they have far more pressing things to do like paperwork and and ensuring they are meeting the plethora of targets thrust upon them by management. A shame but a sad reality.
So for PCSO's to carry out such activities as described is certainly a good move in my opinion.
I guess the thing with these PCSO's is the fact they are not seen as Police in the traditional sense and therefore perhaps have made themselves more approachable and open to interaction with youngsters.
Like Chief said it is good to see them interacting with authority, it may only be a small step but a step in the right direction...