As a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) you will work on the frontline of your local force, providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets and tackling the menace of anti-social behaviour.

Being a PCSO offers a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding career. Our PCSOs play a vital role in keeping Staffordshire safe; working alongside our neighbourhood policing teams to prevent and tackle local issues. You could find yourself:

  • Going on highly visible foot patrols.
  • Reassuring the public after minor crimes or anti-social behaviour.
  • Building relationships with community, religious and business leaders.
  • Working with young people and local schools.
  • Making house visits to gather intelligence.
  • Collecting CCTV evidence.
  • Carrying out missing person enquiries.
  • Protecting crime scenes until police officers arrive.
  • Providing crime prevention and personal safety advice.
  • Offering support at large public gatherings, such as sports events and public demonstrations.

Although PCSOs do not have the same powers as regular police officers, they still carry a lot of responsibility. They rely on their ability to understand and communicate with some of the most challenging people in some of the most difficult situations and are a critical part of the police force.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and ethnic groups. Our applicants are not limited to any particular age group - in fact, we encourage those who are looking for a career change. Unlike the requirements for regular police officers, there is no minimum age to apply.

Basic guidelines for applicants:

  • There are no minimum or maximum height requirements.
  • There is no formal educational requirement, but you will have to pass written tests.
  • Only applications from British citizens, EC/EEA nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or foreign nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK will be accepted.
  • A number of crimes will mean a definite or likely rejection of your application, including anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offence.
  • You must be physically and mentally able to undertake police duties.
  • You will need to complete a medical history questionnaire and undergo an eyesight test satisfactorily before your appointment can be confirmed.
  • Some tattoos (whether visible or not) and facial piercing might be unacceptable.


Do you qualify?

Not everybody is cut out to be a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). Although PCSOs come from a wide variety of backgrounds, all share certain attributes. They must, for example:

  • Be confident and level headed.
  • Have experience and confidence in dealing with difficult people and complex situations.
  • Be sensitive, but also thick-skinned.
  • Have good communication skills.
  • Work well as part of a team.
  • Have the stamina for long stretches on foot patrol.
  • Exhibit excellent communication skills.
  • Be patient in dealing with all types of people, some of whom may be drunk or hostile.

Any PCSO vacancies are advertised on the Current Vacancies page.