What is the difference between a PCSO and a police officer?

What is the difference between a PCSO and a police officer?

The difference between a PCSO and a police officer The only essential difference between the two is that PCSOs don’t have powers of arrest, can’t interview or process prisoners or investigate crime and don’t get involved in the more complex and high-risk operations that police officers perform.

Do PCSO have ranks?

Rank structure PCSOs do not normally have a rank system; however, South Yorkshire and Kent Police employ PCSO supervisors.

Can you go from PCSO to police officer?

There is no formal route from PCSO to police officer, but the training and experience you gain could help you if you want to move into this role. Many people do make being a PCSO their long-term career.

What is the PCSO fitness test?

As well as the bleep test, potential PCSO recruits are tested for their Body Mass Index – a measure of healthy weight. To pass, recruits must have a BMI rating between 18 and 30. Fitness is an important part of the job, so you do have to pass if you want to be a PCSO.

Do PCSOs have to carry a designation card?

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) / Police Staff Investigators (PSIs) will carry at all times an Identity Card and a Designation Card. A Designation Card certifies that the staff member carrying the card has been designated by the Chief Constable to exercise the powers listed on the card.

Can PCSOs drive police cars?

5.10. 1 PCSOs will be authorised to drive police vehicles including marked vehicles following an authorisation test in order to travel between places of duty and their designated patrol area/s in accordance with force policy O45.

Should PCSO carry a designation card?

A PCSO will only have such powers as designated whilst wearing their uniform and are required to produce upon request a ‘designation card’ when exercising any powers under the Act. This ‘designation card’ should list all the powers that the particular PCSO is designated to perform.

How long can a PCSO detain?

Furthermore, a PCSO can detain you for only up to 30 minutes. Then you have the right to walk away and they cannot stop you from leaving. However, if you try to make-off while a PCSO is issuing a FPN, they can only use ‘reasonable force’ to restrain you.

How many minutes is the beep test?

14 minutes
How long does it take and how far will I run? The great thing about the beep test is it won’t take you long at all. The vast majority of people will be done before they reach level 13, which takes less than 14 minutes. If you made it to this stage you’d have run just over 2.5 km, which is equivalent to 1.6 miles.