Eligibility criteria for PCSOs

There is no upper age limit to become a PCSO, however as the normal retirement age is 60, typically the latest applicants may apply is at 57.

You must declare any other employment or business interests you intend to maintain.

Ideally, you shouldn't have a criminal conviction or cautions record. If you do have one, you may be rejected, although we may take into account your age at the time and nature of the offence.

The standard you need to meet either with or without spectacles or contact lenses is: 

• Corrected distance visual acuity must be 6/12 in either eye and 6/6 or better, binocularly.
• Corrected near static visual acuity must be 6/9 or better, binocularly. [Applicants who do not reach the standard should not be rejected but should be invited for a further test after obtaining a stronger prescription].
• Corrected low contrast distance visual acuity must be 6/12 or better for a 10% contrast target, binocularly.

Learn more about eyesight standards for police recruitment.

It's important that you're not under pressure from un-discharged debts or liabilities and that you can manage loans and debts sensibly. Your application will be rejected if you have:

• existing County Court Judgement (CCJ)
• current Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)
• registered bankrupt and bankruptcy debts have not been discharged. You cannot apply until three years after the discharge of debt

A fitness test for PCSOs is not mandatory however, you will need to be able to work under pressure and as part of a team. Therefore, we would encourage you to take part as it is seen as a team building exercise. Please refer to this Fitness Test video to understand what the requirements are and how to prepare. 

We won't accept applications from anyone who is, or has been, a member of the British National Party, Combat 18, National Front or similar organisation.

You will be eligible if you are a British citizen, you are an European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, or a Swiss national.

If you're from outside the EEA, it's essential that you have leave to enter or to remain in the UK for an indefinite period.

You will also need a UK residence card or be able to prove your right to work in the UK as an EU citizen, for example, a valid UK National Insurance number, and are free from restrictions.

A minimum residency criteria of three years within the UK, applies before candidates can be considered for the Police.

If you are currently using any illegal drugs, this will rule you out of the recruitment process automatically. Police Regulations state that you must be tested for substance misuse. Failure to provide a sample will result in your application being terminated.

Tattoos in keeping with a professional image may be appropriately exposed while wearing suitable uniform / clothing, e.g. short sleeves are permitted where a tattoo is on the arm or wrist. Anyone who has a tattoo that might be construed as discriminatory, violent, intimidating, political, lewd or offensive, to any religion or belief, will not be accepted to join Northamptonshire Police.

Facial studs, including tongue studs and pins cannot be worn. Any cultural or religious reasons for needing to wear facial jewellery should be brought to the attention of the recruitment team at the application stage.

A driving licence is a desirable but not essential part of the criteria for PCSOs.

If appointed you must be prepared to have your DNA and fingerprints taken to be searched against the national databases and to be stored on the police elimination database. Police Regulations state that prior to appointment applicants must have their DNA and fingerprints taken for the purposes of a speculative search to ascertain if they have previously come to police attention or if the applicant is linked to any outstanding crime scenes or marks. Failure to consent to this will result in your appointment to the police service not being progressed.