PCSOs in the Met

8/3/2019 PCSOs in the Met

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Professional Practices in Policing Project

Police Community Support Officers Cheap policingor effective resource management? Identifying bestpractices

Word Count 5822


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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements 3

Aims and Objectives 4

Description and analysis of the problem or issue 6

Literature review 10

Research methods and approach 12

Research findings and outcomes 13

Recommendations and/or action plan 21

Reflection on learning process 23

References 25

Appendix A: Constable Questionnaire 27

Appendix B: PCSO Questionnaire 29

Appendix C: Data tables for all questionnaires 31


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Acknowledgements

My thanks to Chief Superintendent Jeff Harris for allowing me access to his staff.


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Police Community Support Officers Cheap policing or effective resource

management? Identifying best practices.

Aims and objectives

The aim of this project is to assess the effectiveness of Police Community Support

Officers (PCSOs) in the provision of policing services within the Metropolitan Police.

The objectives of this project are to:

Identify where and how PCSOs are currently being utilised in the Metropolitan Police

Service (MPS).

Gather and analyse views held by beat constables about the effectiveness of PCSOs

and the quality of workplace relationships between PCSOs and the beat constables

they work alongside.

Provide an evaluative report of the research findings with recommendations about the

current practices employed in the use of PCSOs.

Assessing the effectiveness of PCSOs in delivering policing services within the MPS will be

examined in a number of ways. This project will first look at the broader view, examining

arguments both for and against the implementation of PCSOs, ranging from governmental

level to local policies. The national Police Federation is against the use of PCSOs (Cook,

2002, p. 3) and they argue that this is policing on the cheap, and two-tier policing. They are

concerned that as more PCSOs take to the streets, fully trained police officers will be

withdrawn to emergency response work, thereby only coming into contact with the public

when they are using force against them. The Government, and police forces which have

taken on PCSOs, see it from a different perspective. The MPS uses PCSOs in a variety of

roles, ranging from security and transport to community contact. The Deputy Commissioner,

Sir Ian Blair has said

The public want visibility and accessibility from its police and PCSOs are

a crucial means of delivering this (Blair, 2003a).


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This disparity of views can lead to confusion within the rank and file of the police, and it is this

area that will be addressed. The second objective of this project will be met by means of

primary research via questionnaires at an MPS Police Station. Constables and PCSOs will be

asked to express their views on the area of this project, and those responses will be

analysed. This project will then produce the research findings, and make recommendations

about current work practices, thereby achieving the third objective. Final reflection on the

project material will provide an effective conclusion to this topic.


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Description and analysis of the problem or issue

The issue to be addressed is whether PCSOs are an effective resource in the fight against

crime and disorder. Are they seen as a cheap alternative to police officers, or a valuable

member of the extended police family? And do those two perceptions lead to them being

utilised differently. Many views have been expressed both for and against the use of PCSOs

and these will be reviewed in depth.

The background to the creation of PCSOs can be traced to the much-repeated quote Tough

on crime, tough on the causes of crime (Blair, 1997). In 1997 New Labour was bound by its

promises to reduce crime, but was also keen not to implement tax increases to fund these

promises. Separately, the police were achieving positive results and crime was decreasing,

but there still existed the reassurance gap (NRPP, 2004) where people still felt unsafe. This

fear impacted on their view of the police and the government who promised the changes.

Another problem was the rapidly approaching 30-year cycle of swelling numbers within the

police. At the end of the Second World War in 1945, police numbers rapidly increased. This

was followed in the 1970s by another increase due to pay and condition changes

implemented after the Edmond Davies Report. The new millennium would then need another

swell to replace those officers now due for retirement. Choices were limited by a government

unwilling to increase public sector pay. In December 2001, the government produced a White

Paper (Home Office, 2001) that outlined proposed changes to the future of policing in

England and Wales. At the forefront of these changes was the introduction of PCSOs.

That paper later became the Police Reform Act 2002, and since then many police forces have

integrated PCSOs into their workforce. The reform was not universally accepted however.

The Police Federation at a national level was and is against the use of PCSOs. It argues that

policing by consent requires the support of the public and that two-tiers of policing and diluting

standards would be dangerous both for the police and public (Police Federation, 1997, p. 4).

Fred Broughton, the head of the Federation in 2002 argued that, at that time, the public


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shared the view held by the Federation and were also against the use of PCSOs. This was

shown in an ICM poll commissioned by the Federation which concluded;

When asked if they were alarmed at plans to give powers to stop and detain

members of the public to PCSOs, and use reasonable force in doing so, 63% of those

polled said they were.

75% favoured more police officers on the streets rather than the Governments

proposals for new civilian support officers.

Only 15% backed the reforms set out by the Home Secretary.

The poll involved a random selection of 1004 adults from across the country, interviewed by

phone (Judge, 2002, p. 13).

The Federation was by far not the only voice in dissent. David Gilberston (2003, pp. 28-29), a

former HM Assistant Inspector of Constabulary said

When the public is asked what it wants, its response is unequivocal: fullytrained, fully warranted officers performing the myriad of functions usuallyexpected of them. They do not want a semi-skilled support service.

In addition, an unusual supporter of the Federation agrees with their position. John Wadham,

a previous director of civil rights group Liberty, has voiced serious concern about granting

police-style powers to PCSOs (Police warden plans condemned, 2001). His organisation

believes that such powers should come with adequate training and accountability, and should

remain solely with the police. To employ lower paid staff with less accountability, he argues,

would lead to an increase in human rights violations. Johnston (2000, p. 137) also pointed out

the problems inherent with two-tier policing, particularly when localised implementation is

applied. The housing estate or street receiving the additional wardens will displace crime

elsewhere, causing a neighbouring estate problems. Alternately, fully trained police may

withdraw from the area with the extra patrols, giving it a second rate service. This view of

cheap law enforcement is simply the perception that paying less for something will lead to an

inferior service, or window dressing.

Countering arguments have been put forward. David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has

challenged the Federations view that policing by consent still exists. He now believes that a


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new principle of policing through co-operation(emphasis added) exists, and that working with

people requires a uniform presence at street level (Home Office, 2003). Recent research

carried out by Portsmouth University on behalf of the MPS also suggests that the public

perception of PCSOs has changed.

50% of people living in Westminster and 70% in Camden said PCSOs reassured

them over safety.

More than half in Westminster and nearly 75% in Camden said they helped reduce

their fear of crime.

The survey also found they provided an important link between the police and the

community.

Researchers interviewed 1000 people over twelve months (Civilian police are reassuring,

2004).

Looking further, other police forces have examined their use of PCSOs with positive results.

Cleveland Police found that the key purpose of the PCSO is to provide public reassurance

and tackle anti-social behaviour. Their research showed continuing integration into the

extended police family, and it was generally considered that the high amount of time spent on

visible patrol was the key to the success of the PCSO (Holden McAllister Partnership, 2004).

Evidence of similar tiered policing also exists and models similar to PCSOs have already

been used successfully elsewhere. The Independent Committee of Inquiry into the Role and

Responsibilities of the Police(Police Foundation / Policy Studies Institute, 1996) examined

two different types of auxiliary patrols being used in the Netherlands. Firstly, the Stradwacht,

or city wardens, patrol in uniform but only have powers of a citizen. Their basic function is to

provide a visible reassuring presence. The Politiesurveillanti, or police patroller, is a new rank

of officer who have arrest powers, but so far have been used sparingly in roles where they are

likely to use such powers. Both are the eyes and ears of the police, and they work together

under the same police umbrella. Although tiers exist, each has worked in harmony with the

others to provide a more effective police service.


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As can be seen, Holland employs various types of law enforcement officers, which have not

lead to a diluted system. A similar comparison already existed within London. Municipal police

constabularies exist throughout the London Boroughs (Johnston, 2000, p. 141). Brent Parks

Constabulary, along with similar municipal authorities in Holland Park, Barking and

Wandsworth, have been empowered to act as law enforcers in specific areas not readily

patrolled by the MPS. The officers are fully attested constables within their own jurisdiction.

Also working in parallel are the likes of Royal Parks Police, British Transport Police and City

of London Police, all undertaking their particular duties within their specified areas. The

municipal constabularies, that is ones set up by local authorities, in particular are mainly a

deterrent rather than a law enforcement body. This targeted use of less trained officers is very

much the principle ethos of PCSOs, as embraced by the MPS. Johnston (2000, p. 143) cited

Davies (1989) as stating Future implementation...[of such bodies] should be under the strict

control of the police rather than local authorities, again emphasising the importance of direct

police control and accountability.

With such opposing views, both nationally and locally, it is no wonder that rank and file

officers are confused about the role of their policing cousins. Such confusion can lead to

examples of bad practices and resentment. These issues will be fully reviewed later in the

research findings.


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Literature Review

Research material for this subject was easily available in various forms, from books and

articles, to statistical analysis and online reviews. Lie (n.d.) said

a literature review is a critical synthesis of previous research. Theevaluation of the literature leads logically to the research question.

Early in the research, a definite question had not been decided upon so keywords such as

PCSO, cheap policing and two-tier policing were used in search engines to provide a large

quantity of current and historical information on the subject matter. The Internet also proved

an invaluable tool for finding printed information. As material was discovered and assessed,

useful paragraphs and quotes were referenced in a computer notepad for future use.

Lies methods of critical analysis were then used to assess the collected works.

Theoretical background. The Independent Committee of Inquiry into the Role and

Responsibilities of the Policeand Policing Britain: Risk, Security and Governanceboth

provided sound argument for stepped police services. Whilst the first paper related to a

much wider view, it was still important to demonstrate a working model prior to the

implementation of PCSOs. The second article allowed similar models already in place in

the MPS to be reviewed, again relevant to the project title.

Clinical practice previous and contemporary. No literature could be found about

previous practices, as the implementation of PCSOs was a national rollout and something

very new to British policing. Conversely, contemporary material was freely available on

the Internet as different police services reviewed the effectiveness of PCSOs and

published their findings.

Methodology and research methods. Nearly all of thesefindings published by police

made use of similar research methods. Surveys of PCSOs and the police officers they

work alongside were most common. Their findings were similar and as such evaluate well

as being accurate. Larger reports also surveyed outside agencies and the general public,

adding another layer to their findings.

Previous findings. British based previous findings that can be directly correlated are

absent for the reason already stated. However the paper by the Police Foundation /


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Policy Studies Institute (1996) set a sound benchmark for a similar endeavour outside the

UK. Whilst this project remains aware of the differences between police services in other

countries, the report is too well researched to be ignored out of hand.

Rationale of current study. The research undertaken by this project is valid because it

is targeted locally. As the literature review shows, most historical research is much wider

or based elsewhere. Other current reports relate to single police areas, so the primary

research undertaken here will be of benefit specifically to the MPS.

With this analysis complete and a research question finalised a literature tree (Fig. 1) was

devised to enable relevant works to be placed with or next to related subjects. This gathering

of related data, along with the reference notepad lead to the writing phase of this project

being fairly straight forward.

Fig. 1 Literature Tree

Broad NarrowHistoricalAnalysis

Current / OngoingStudiesFor Against

GoodPractices

BadPractices

Future

Projections


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Research methods and approach

Secondary research formed the initial thrust of evidence gathering for this project. As a

starting point, the Internet was used to identify relevant literature. This lead onto personal

visits to libraries, where reference books, articles and reviews could be analysed. The

rationale for examining paper records instead of relying solely on the Internet was to increase

the accuracy of quotes. Once all the literature had been reviewed and indexed (see literature

review), and before moving onto primary research, a rough draft of part of the project was

written. This was deliberately done first, so any primary research findings did not affect the

non-biased review of secondary research.

Primary research was then undertaken to provide new argument either for or against PCSOs.

The use of pre-coded short questionnaires within the workplace were utilised to obtain data

from police constables and PCSOs. Using face-to-face interviews within the workplace to

gather data was considered, but this would have been a drain on valuable police time and

resources. Also, analysis of this data would have been time consuming. Pre-coded responses

were used so that analysis would be straightforward and relatively quick. The questionnaire

was piloted initially with four police constables and three PCSOs, enabling confusing or

unnecessary questions to be reworded. After this initial phase, a fairly small number of staff

were chosen for the full rollout of the questionnaire, however each formed different types of

samples. Every PCSO employed at a police station in the MPS was asked to complete a

questionnaire. These 24 members of staff created a full population sample. 20 police

constables from community teams were then randomly picked from the nominal role to

provide a simple random sample. Finally, another 20 police constables from the five response

teams were picked by choosing every fifth officer on the duty roster, thereby creating a

systematic sample. Although the methods were different, all three represented a probability

sample, so everyone had the same or a known chance of being selected (Hayden, Shawyer

and Creaton, 2003, pp. 17-19).


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Research findings and outcomes

At the conclusion of the primary research and with all secondary research literature

catalogued and reviewed, the findings could then be assessed. The first objective of this

project was to identify where and how PCSOs were currently being utilised in the MPS. Such

numbers are constantly changing, but in November 2004, the National PCSO website stated

that there were 3802 employed nationwide. The MPS took a large proportion of those,

employing approximately 1400 PCSOs throughout London for three specific roles. In central

London and Westminster, about 12% of PCSOs are given security duties. These entail high

visibility foot patrols within a small but sensitive area, in a role that was specifically created

after 9/11 so that fully trained police officers would not be drawn in large numbers to these

duties (Blair, 2003b). As a result of Mayor Ken Livingstones transport policies for London,

about 500 PCSOs have been funded to police the transport network alongside police officers

(2003/04 police budget, 2003). The remaining bulk of PCSOs are being employed in

community posts, patrolling residential areas as part of the Government and MPS

reassurance strategies (Home Office, 2003, p. 9). These Community PCSOs are being

specifically used to put bobbies back on the beat.

But is this an effective use of role-specific officers? Wright (2004, p. 4) argued that PCSOs

performing security duties were bored, and this was having a detrimental effect on sickness

levels. He used figures provided by the MPS to prove his point. Of the 173 security PCSOs in

place in February 2004, the average sick leave for the preceding twelve months was 17.4

days. Transport PCSOs were next with an average of 12.9 days off sick amongst the 453

officers. However, a different picture emerged for community PCSOs, whose duties were far

ranging and who were said to feel more valued in the workplace. Of the 770 officers in

London, their average sick leave was only 3.7 days a year. These figures alone show a

worrying pattern that is only emphasized when ratios of workforce to sick leave are

expressed.


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Fig. 2

Total workforce - PCSOs

12%

32%56%

Security Transport Community

Fig. 3

Total Sickness - PCSOs

25%

50%

25%

Security Transport Community

As can be seen in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, whilst security PCSOs make up only 12% of the

workforce, they account for 25% of all sickness. Only community PCSOs come out

favourably, with 56% of the workforce having just 25% of all sickness. This may suggest that

the MPS is not utilising all its PCSOs correctly, or has created a role for them that is wholly

unsatisfying. However, the MPS has said (Wright, 2004, p. 4) that poor sick records would not

be tolerated, and has commissioned an independent research team to assess PCSO

sickness levels. It remains to be seen if the MPS will review its utilisation of PCSOs in light of

any findings.


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Moving onto the second objective of this project to assess the effectiveness of PCSOs and

their relationship with beat constables within the MPS requires analysis of the primary

research. However, the limitations of the primary research undertaken as part of this project

must be born in mind. First, only staff from one station completed the questionnaires. This is

one of thirty-two command units within London, so to declare it representational of the whole

of the MPS would be dangerous. Nevertheless, it could be argued to be a snapshot of current

trends, and backed up by secondary findings can be of considerable use. Two questionnaires

were used as part of this research. The first questionnaire (see Appendix A) was circulated to

20 constables from community teams, and 20 constables from response teams, during

November 2004. To further augment this research from an opposing perspective, 24

community based PCSOs were asked to complete another questionnaire (see Appendix B)

with similar questions. Of those given the opportunity to complete the questionnaire, 14

community constables replied (70%), 10 response constables replied (50%) and 18 PCSOs

replied (75%). This good return rate for a self-completed questionnaire required a certain level

of follow up requests, which was possible because of the relatively small sample size.

The first group of questions on both questionnaires were for profiling purposes. Appendix C

shows the results in full with some interesting statistics. Whereas most PCSOs were aged

between 18 and 40, the community police constables were older, at 31 years and above.

Length of service was also much longer for constables, but this was to be expected as the

introduction of PCSOs is a relatively new concept. A fact to be born in mind when analysing

the results is the level of contact with PCSOs between the two different policing units.

Whereas every community constable (100%) had constant or daily contact with PCSOs, the

majority of response officers were seeing PCSOs only once a week (60%). These statistics

could be broken down and further examined in a variety of ways, however with such a small

sample group this level of scrutiny is liable to have huge error margins and be of little use

statistically. For the purposes of this project, minute examination of sub-groups will be

avoided.

Respondents were asked a number of questions covering three areas:


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1. A PCSOs value.

Respondents were questions to see how effectively PCSOs were integrating into the

workforce, and how well they were valued by their constable colleagues (see Table 1).

Community officers were twice as likely to express a positive view about the introduction of

PCSOs than response officers. This is probably because their daily contact is much greater,

which leads to a better understanding of PCSOs. It is interesting to note however that only

officers from the community teams held negative views as well. All three groups shared the

view generally that PCSOs were a valuable addition to the workplace, but when asked if

PCSOs were here to stay, not a single PCSO believed their job was likely to disappear,

whereas between 22% and 30% of all police officers held that view.

Table 1.

Question Community PC Response PC PCSO

A N D A N D A N D

Introduction of PCSOs 78 0 22 40 60 0 Not askedis a good idea.

PCSOs are a valuable 71 7 22 60 40 0 61 16 23addition to the workplace.

PCSOs are here to stay. 71 7 22 60 10 30 61 39 0

Key: A Agree or strongly agree N Neutral D Disagree or strongly disagree

Results are displayed as a percentage.

Respondents were also asked how comfortable they felt working with PCSOs (see Table 2).

Again, the majority of police officers were positive about this statement (agreed or strongly

agreed). There was still the negative aspect running through the views of community officers,

with 22% again feeling uncomfortable with PCSOs. As their contact is on a daily basis, this is

a worrying statistic. Of course, the Police Federation also hold a negative view of PCSOs, and

it is probably these 22% for whom the Federation speak. Responding to Home Office

proposals for PCSOs, the MPS Federation chairman Glen Smyth said:

The authors of these proposals appear to have come to the conclusion


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that the present state of lawlessness, and the breakdown of communityvalues, is largely due to the inability of the police to interact with thecommunity at large (Ratcliffe, 2004, p. 13).

With such views being put forward, it is little wonder that some officers are not fully embracing

of PCSOs. It would appear that this negative or bad feeling is being masked from the PCSOs,

as when asked if they felt PCs liked working with them, 71% agreed or strongly agreed and

the rest were neutral, with no negative feelings at all. Taking it a step further, when asked if

they felt comfortable working with PCs, a staggering 94% of PCSOs agreed or strongly

agreed.

Table 2.

Question: Are you comfortable working alongside PCSOs?

Agree/Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree/Strongly disagree

Community PC 64% 14% 22%

Response PC 70% 30% ---

Question: Do you think PCs are comfortable working alongside you?


PCSO 71% 29% ---

Question: Are you comfortable working alongside police officers?


PCSO 94% 6% ---

2. Do they help?

Respondents were asked if PCSOs helped to reduce crime and disorder. Their opinion was

also sought on whether PCSOs helped to reduce the general workload of their constable

colleagues. All three groups held a shared consensus that the introduction of PCSOs into the

police had a positive effect on crime and disorder, with 50% or more of each group sharing

this view. This positive impact of uniformed patrols by non-attested officers is core to the


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future of policing in the MPS. In a recent response to government plans to modernise the

police, the MPS said that it

contents strongly that there must be a shift in public and political focusfrom police officer numbers to policing visibility of all uniformed police

staff (Police Reform Team, 2004, p. 1).

However, when quizzed if the general workload of constables was reduced by PCSOs, the

results of the two questionnaires were juxtaposed. The opinion of PCSOs was that they do

help to reduce their colleagues workload. 61% of them said they agreed or strongly agreed

with this statement. Community constables, who work alongside them on a daily basis,

differed considerably and only 14% agreed with the same statement. 57% of them actually

disagreed or strongly disagreed. This view was backed up by response constables, 60% of

whom also disagreed or strongly disagreed that PCSOs reduced their workload (see Fig. 4).

It would appear therefore that whilst PCSOs genuinely feel they are helping out with the

workload of their colleagues, the constables themselves disagree strongly. Perhaps this is

due to the limitations of the role of a PCSO as whilst they are able to deal with minor

offences, it is their constable counterparts who have to do the associated paperwork

generated from those offences.

3. Are they able?

All three groups were asked if they felt PCSOs received sufficient training, and whether their

powers were sufficient for the role. Where as in previous questions opinion had differed, these

two questions had unified findings (see Fig. 5). As can be seen, not one officer agreed with

the statements that PCSOs had sufficient training and powers. Response officers were 100%

united in their view that PCSOs required more training. The PCSOs themselves felt very

strongly that they needed further training (77%), and this was further backed up by community

officers (78%). This apparent lack of confidence in PCSO training has been identified by the

MPS which recently increased training from 3 weeks to 4 weeks for most PCSOs, and to six

weeks for transport PCSOs (Bone, 2004). Whether this is enough to ease concerns remains

to be seen.


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Fig. 4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

%

PCSO Community PC Response PC

Respondent

Do PCSOs reduce the workload of police officers?

Agree / Strongly Agree

Neutral

Disagree / Strongly disagree

Fig. 5

PCSO

CommunityPC

ResponsePC

PCSO

CommunityPC

ResponsePC

Agree/Strongly agree

Neutral

Disagree/strongly disagree0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

%

Type of staff

PCSOs have sufficient training PCSOs have sufficient powers


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Moving onto PCSOs powers, again no group believed they were sufficient. Approximately 1 in

4 respondents were neutral, but the rest all agreed that PCSOs needed more powers. This

area of concern has also been identified by the MPS, and PCSO powers in London have

recently been broadened to incorporate further offences for which they can issue fixed

penalties (Davers, 2003, p.8). This is the third increase in powers since PCSOs were

employed, and it is likely that this mission creep will continue. It should be born in mind

however that major changes such as powers of arrest could not be implemented without

wholesale modifications to the Police Reform Act 2002, although the new Serious Organised

Crime and Police Bill goes some way to suggesting such changes (Eastham, 2004).

Finally, the questionnaire had two questions asking for examples of good and bad incidents

involving PCSOs. These were used in an attempt to determine good and bad practices

currently being utilised. Most respondents ignored these questions or ticked the no box that

required no written response. Why these questions did not provide good data is examined

later on page 24.

In conclusion, the MPS as an organisation has embraced the idea of PCSOs fully, and

integrated them into its structure in several different roles. One apparent problem with this is

the different levels of job satisfaction which is evident when levels of sickness are examined.

It is also clear that more work needs to be done if the hearts and minds of police officers are

to be wholly won over. The minority of police officers that appear totally against the idea of

PCSOs should be educated in the need for change in a city with a rapidly expanding

population. It is also clear that PCSOs undertaking high visibility patrols are helping to reduce

crime and re reassuring the public. However, their own confidence in their powers and

training is lacking, and this is also mirrored by the feelings of their PC colleagues. If PCSOs

are to remain in the long-term, then better training and increased powers seem an almost

certain means of achieving this.


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Recommendations and/or action plan

The aim of this project was to assess how well PCSOs deliver policing services in the MPS,

and this project has shown that it is an ongoing progress with steps still to be taken to make

them a truly effective arm of the service. Information was gathered from serving front line

many officers, and it was apparent that the role of the PCSO was not fully appreciated by

police officers. In fact, in a recent phone-in on a London radio station (Anonymous, 2004) a

serving response police officer expressed a view that PCSOs served no useful purpose and

accused them of being a public relations stunt. The most telling remark he made however

was I have never even seen them arrest anyone. The lack of a power of arrest for PCSOs

is widely known, and for a co-worker to be so uninformed suggests deep divisions still need to

be addressed.

This project has also shown that the MPS as an organisation is making efforts to address

areas of concern throughout the whole service. Therefore the third objective of this project will

be focussed on and the following recommendations be made, at this time, on a local Borough

level:

Increased integration

Low sickness levels for the PCSOs employed in community roles suggest high job

satisfaction. Therefore moving them into different roles to increase their integration with all

police officers would be counter productive, and probably beyond the regulations guiding their

deployment. However, PCSOs do come into contact with response officers on a regular basis,

and a better understanding of each others roles would increase productivity. Also, Hearnden

(2004, p. 19) was concerned that response officers might encounter PCSOs and being

unfamiliar with their role, expect them to help or intervene in situations beyond their training or

remit. Therefore this project recommends that PCSOs spend one day every three months

attached to a response team as an observer. During this tour of duty, the PCSO could ride

along with a response crew, witness their role firsthand and explain their own roles and

responsibilities. As they become better known to each other, understanding will increase. Due


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to the relatively small number of PCSOs, this would be simple to achieve via line managers

who could arranged the attachments and liaise with the response team in question.

Increased understanding

As identified by the questionnaire survey, there are a number of PCs who do not think PCSOs

are here to stay and feel uncomfortable working alongside them. Similar research in Surrey

(Hearnden, 2004, p. 18) also acknowledged that integration increased if police officers were

aware of PCSOs powers, and knew what they could or could not do. This issue needs to be

broken down into two aspects. First, the reasons why they feel uncomfortable needs to be

identified and secondly, a means of reducing this divide must be established. Therefore, the

recommendation is that a PC workshop be established, initially only for community PCs who

appear to hold the highest level of negative feelings. These would include the statistics and

an overview of this project. PCs would be urged to speak freely, their concerns would be

addressed and if genuine issues were identified, suggested solutions could be found.

Alongside this would be clear and concise training explaining PCSOs powers.

Increased local PCSO training

There was consensus that PCSOs lacked sufficient training. This also goes hand in hand with

the feeling amongst PCs that PCSOs are increasing their paperwork. The recommendation of

this project is that local training be provided to PCSOs to increase their usefulness to their PC

colleagues during the administrative phase of police work. This could be achieved by means

of a specific training day provided locally by the Borough training unit. Before that was

provided, a cross-roles working party would need to look at this issue and identify areas

where PCSOs can be a means of assistance. This could include PCs from different roles and

a number of PCSOs, and any recommendations tailored into a specific training package.


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Reflection on learning process

Looking back upon my work and identifying good and bad points, both about the project and

my own learning process was the most rewarding aspect of the last few months. The

newness of PCSOs did mean that in depth study of literature was needed. Again this was

enjoyable and my system for collating information worked well (see literature review).

Undertaking the fieldwork for this project was another new area that went well practically but

threw up a few theoretical issues that I would have to bear in mind for future studies, such as

chasing up low returns if the sample group was much larger. Further points of interest are:

What went right and wrong?

A lot went right during the completion of this project. The planning and indexing of literature in

line with Lies (n.d.) structure resulted in easy access to information during the writing phase

which meant that the flow of the report was not unnecessarily broken up to find a relevant

reference document. I also enjoyed a high level of support from PCs and PCSOs, and this

enabled all fieldwork to progress easily. Not only was it relatively easy, it was also an

enjoyable process because of the obvious enthusiasm of others involved in the questionnaire

stage. In general the questionnaires were also a success because clear and definite results

followed which enabled me to produce robust and meaningful recommendations. There were

aspects of the project which could have gone better and these are discussed below.

Difficulties or problems encountered

I found that the last two questions on both questionnaires were of no use statistically. Most

respondents left them blank or ticked both no boxes. These were the only two questions

requiring a written response, and I believe it is for this reason that they were ignored as

opposed to each respondent actually having no good or bad tales to tell. It is my contention

that respondents declined to answer these two questions to save time or through a lack of

wanting to put their own thoughts onto paper. In future, I would consider using Likert scale

questions only in postal questionnaires, and utilise questions requiring longer responses in

face-to-face interviews only.


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Unanswered questions or unresolved issues

I was glad that the questionnaires provided clear results that could be backed up by research

carried out elsewhere. However, as well as being aware of the small sample size, I am also

mindful of the fact that only Community PCSOs were polled. The MPS also employs PCSOs

in transport and security roles, and it would have been interesting to establish their views.

Security PCSOs have little contact with police officers, and their sick levels suggest their role

is unsatisfying. Their responses to my questionnaire would have been interesting in

establishing their enthusiasm for their role. Transport PCSOs are working full time alongside

police officers, albeit in a confrontational policing role, and their views on their colleagues and

their role would have also added depth to my result. For this project, interviewing a much

larger and diverse sample group including all PCSO roles was not possible due to limitations

on my time in the workplace, and resources. Should I return to this subject at a higher

learning level, I will take this into consideration, and ensure greater cross representation.


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References

Anonymous (2004) The Henry Kelly Show. LBC. 4.00 pm 7.00 pm, Tuesday 9 November.

Blair, I. (2003a, February) Deputy Commissioner offers boroughs Police Community Support

Officers partnership. Briefing presented at the Central London Partnership, Grosvenor,London.

Blair, I. (2003b, February 19) Surprise News: Policing Works A New Model of Patrol.Speech presented at In Search of Security international conference. Montreal, Canada.

Blair, T. (1997) Labour manifesto. New Labour because Britain deserves better. Retrieved 5October 2004 from http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/man/lab97.htm

Bone, S. (2004) Hendon Week 4 by 7141TX. Retrieved 9 November 2004 fromhttp://www.national-pcsos.co.uk/phpbb2/

Civilian police are reassuring (2004, April 28). BBC News World Edition, pp. 1-2. Retrieved

15 October 2004 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3664735.stm

Cook, G. (2002) Catastrophic Mistake. Metline. October 2002. p. 3.

Davers, C. (2003) PCSOs The story so far. Rangers workshop. Retrieved 9 November 2004from http://www.c-london.co.uk/files/pdf/Rangers%20Workshop.pdf

Eastham, P. (2004, November 25). So are they police or not? The Daily Mail, p. 1.

Gilbertson, D. (2003) Plastic Policemen. Police Review. February, Vol. 111, Number 5712.pp. 28-29.

Hayden, C., Shawyer, A. and Creaton, J. (2003) Introduction to Research Skills. Distance and

Flexible Learning Study Skills. Portsmouth: ICJS, University of Portsmouth.

Hearnden, I. (2004, March) Police Community Support Officers in Surrey. A PoliceFoundation report. ICPR. Kings College London.

Holden McAllister Partnership (2004) Cleveland Police Community Support Officers Review.A report for Safe in Tees Valley

Home Office (2001) Policing a new century: a blueprint for reform. Home Office. HMSO.

Home Office (2003) Policing: Building Safer Communities Together. Home Office.

Johnston, L. (2000). Policing Britain: Risk, Security and Governance. Harlow: Longman.

Judge, T. (2002). A Blot on the Policing Landscape. Police Magazine. January, Vol. XXXIV,Number 1, pp. 12-13.

Lie, K. (n.d.). Writing the Literature Review. Research Trek. Retrieved 20 October 2004 fromhttp://www.qmced.ac.uk/psych/Rtrek/study_notes/web/sn9.htm

NRPP (2004) The Reassurance Gap. National Reassurance Policing Programme. Retrieved6 October 2004 from http://www.reassurancepolicing.co.uk/reassurancegap.asp

Police Federation (1997). The idea of a two-tier system. Where Do We Stand. PoliceFederation website: 1-6. Retrieved 17 October 2004 fromhttp://www.polfed.org.uk/wherewes.htm


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Police Foundation / Policy Studies Institute (1996). The Independent Committee of Inquiryinto the Role and Responsibilities of the Police, London: Police Foundation / Police StudiesInstitute.

Police Reform Team (2004, February) Summary of the MPS Response to Policing: BuildingSafer Communities Together. HMSO.

Police warden plans condemned (2001, December 5). Police999 News. Retrieved 17October 2004 from http://www.police999.com/news/news117.html

Ratcliffe, D. (2004) Federation wins forum on reform. Metline. August 2004. p. 13

Wright, S. (2004, September 28). Blunketts beat beset by sickies. Daily Mail, p. 4.

2003/04 police budget. (2003, February 12). Metropolitan Police Authority. Retrieved 3November 2004 from http://www.mpa.gov.uk/news/press/2003/03-012.htm


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Insert Appendix A: Constable Questionnaire

Insert Appendix B: PCSO Questionnaire

Insert Appendix C: Data tables for all questionnaires

Documents

PCSOs in the Met