PCSO
Police Community Support Officer
A paid, uniformed, non-warranted role focused on neighbourhood policing, visibility and community engagement.
Also searched as pcso, police community support officer, community support officer jobs. We currently see 6 forces referencing this route, with 3 live adverts we can read directly.
Short answer
A paid, uniformed, non-warranted role focused on neighbourhood policing, visibility and community engagement. You apply to the force, not to a national scheme.
Length
Permanent role, starting with an initial learning programme
Who it's for
People who want a community policing career without the full powers of a constable.
Pay
Set locally by each force
What you need
- Eligibility, including minimum age, is set by each force (College of Policing)
- Full police vetting
- Apply directly to the force when it advertises
Worth knowing first
- Lower pay than a constable and no warrant card; pay is set by the force's staff grading
- Some forces train PCSOs through a level 4 PCSO apprenticeship or programme
- A chief officer can accept PCSO service in place of the level 3 requirement for PCDA and PCEP
Forces advertising PCSO
Filtered to forces where our last check found this route. Forces whose systems block automated reading won't appear here even if they are recruiting — the full board shows every force with its data source.
55
live vacancies we can read
3
forces with a readable job feed
3
forces confirmed recruiting
Last checked today. We check every force twice a day and show you exactly where each answer came from.
Showing 6 of 43 forces
West Midlands Police
Read from West Midlands Police's own job board, today.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
North Yorkshire Police
From North Yorkshire Police's own job board — 5 of 10 shown, checked today.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Derbyshire Constabulary
Read from Derbyshire Constabulary's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Leicestershire Police
Read from Leicestershire Police's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Lancashire Constabulary
Read from Lancashire Constabulary's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
PCSO questions
What is Police Community Support Officer? +
A paid, uniformed, non-warranted role focused on neighbourhood policing, visibility and community engagement.
Who is PCSO for? +
People who want a community policing career without the full powers of a constable.
How long does PCSO take? +
Permanent role, starting with an initial learning programme. Lower pay than a constable and no warrant card; pay is set by the force's staff grading.
What do you need to apply for PCSO? +
Eligibility, including minimum age, is set by each force (College of Policing). Full police vetting. Apply directly to the force when it advertises.
Compare the other routes
PCEP
Two years, with a two-year probation
PCDA
Three years, with a three-year probation
DHEP
Two years, with a two-year probation
Detective
Two-year probation, plus the learning needed for PIP 2 accreditation
Transferee
Set by the receiving force; vetting and references are the usual waits
Rejoiner
Probation of 6 months if you rejoin within 12 months at your old rank, otherwise 12 months
Specials
Ongoing, with a minimum monthly hours commitment set by each force
Staff
Permanent and fixed-term contracts