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Applications can be accepted at the age of 17, providing you will be 18 by the time you are expected to start and have achieved the required qualifications. There is no upper age limit for applying to the police service. However, a PCSO is demanding physically and mentally and you will need to be reasonably fit and in good health. We welcome all ages - a diverse workforce reflecting the communities we serve is the best way to be effective. No matter your age, you bring important skills and perspectives that are key tools for being a PCSO.
You must declare any other employment or business interests you intend to maintain.
Certain convictions and cautions will lead to automatic rejection unless there are exceptional circumstances. In particular:
We will consider convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings and fixed penalty notices on a case-by-case basis. Whether an application passes depends the nature and circumstances of the offence.
Police checks and security vetting are carried out on you and your immediate family. The security service will also carry out checks to verify your identity and background.
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.
A driving licence is a desirable but not essential part of the criteria for PCSOs.
The standard you need to meet either with or without spectacles or contact lenses is:
Distance vision
Near vision
Colour vision
The use of colour correcting lenses is not acceptable. Severe colour vision deficiencies (monochromacy) are not acceptable. Mild anomalous trichromacy is acceptable. Severe anomalous dichromacy or trichromacy is also acceptable but you will need to be aware of the deficiency and make appropriate adjustments.
Learn more about eyesight standards for police recruitment.
You will have your financial status checked. You must not have any wilfully undischarged debts (for example county court judgements or bankruptcy). This does not include mortgages, hire purchase, student loans or other loans that you are paying off normally.
Your application will be rejected if you have an active County Court Judgement (CCJ) or Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA). If you have been declared bankrupt you will not be eligible to apply until three years from the date of the Certificate of Satisfaction. If you have discharged bankruptcy debts you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction.
You will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and if necessary for the role attend a medical assessment with our Force Physician.
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.
To meet the minimum requirement for vetting you must have lived in the UK for the three years prior to the date of your application.
The exception to this is where you are HMG or British Military Personnel who has served abroad or where you have been overseas as the spouse, partner or dependent of a member of the armed forces posted overseas.
There may also be an exception where a significant period of time overseas (normally up to one year), without returning to the UK but intending to return in the future will be acceptable, such as:
This is not an exhaustive list. Please get in touch with us if you think this may apply to you.
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.
We assess all tattoos and piercings before your application is progressed. Tattoos may preclude you from being recruited, depending on their content and position.
Visible tattoos and other visible body markings are unacceptable if they could reasonably be interpreted as:
Careful consideration will be given to any tattoo on the neck, face and / or hands in deciding if it is acceptable. This includes considering the size, nature and prominence of the tattoo.
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.