united-kingdom england-and-wales police
What in essence are PCSOs? (Organizationally and career trajectory wise)
<p>And where do they fit into the system of police? Are they aspiring police constables in training who will hopefully one day progress into full policedom?</p>
<p>Do they report under the met?</p>

<p><strong>What in essence are PCSOs?</strong></p>
<p>Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) are civilian employees (also known as police staff) of the relevant police force, a role created by <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/30/section/38?timeline=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">section 38</a> Police Reform Act 2002.</p>
<p>They may be designated with (i.e. authorised to use) any power or duty of a constable except those identified in <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/30/schedule/3B/part/1?timeline=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Part 1 of Schedule 3B</a> and any or all of the various powers and duties found in <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/30/schedule/3C?timeline=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Schedule 3C</a> (<em>far too many to repoduce here</em>).</p>
<p><strong>Where do they fit into the system of police?</strong></p>
<p>Each force area has its own requirements, priorities and demands, but for the <a href="https://www.met.police.uk/car/careers/met/pcso/pcso-overview/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Metropolitan Police Service</a> (the Met) PCSO roles include:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Safer Neighbourhood Teams – focussing on crime and antisocial behaviour within the community.</p>
<p>Safer Transport Teams – focussing on over-ground transport, working with the public to ensure and reassure that our transport networks are safe.</p>
<p>Roads Policing Teams – working alongside Traffic Officers, dealing with collision scenes, incidents and broken down vehicles.</p>
<p>Reassurance Tasking Teams – visible presence on the roads, enforcing red routes and managing network disruption.</p>
<p>Tunnel Team- focussing on keeping London’s Tunnel network operating at full capacity and dealing with associated issues.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Are they aspiring police constables in training who will hopefully one day progress into full policedom?</strong></p>
<p>Some are, some are not. There is neither an expectation nor requirement to apply to be a constable.</p>
<p><strong>Do they report under the Met?</strong></p>
<p>Not all, as each police force has reporting responsibilities for its own employees.</p>
