Police Community Support Officer Recruitment Seminar Tuesday 21 st April 2015.

Police Community Support Officer

Recruitment SeminarTuesday 21st April 2015

Aims & Objectives

• Overview of Cheshire Constabulary

• Role of a PSCO• Expectations• Overview of the Recruitment

process

WE’RE HERE• We’re Here is our commitment to the public to

address the issues that they tell us are the most important to them.

• The commitments cover four key areas of our business:• We’re Here Where You Need Us, When You Need Us• We’re Here for Victims• We’re Here for Justice• We’re Here for Communities

So you want to be a PCSO?The Standards required of a PCSO are laid out Nationally in the Code of Ethics.• As a Police Officer you will need to have the following ….

• Honesty & Integrity • Physical fitness• Sensitivity & Tact• Communication skills• Drive & Determination• Rationale when making decisions• An ability to work independently and as part of a team

What is the role?• Highly visible foot patrols on a local beat• Intelligence gathering• Managing workload of reported incidents• Traffic Management – fixed penalties for tax,

controlling traffic e.g. at accidents • Act as a professional witness to incidents• Support Police Officers – scene preservation• Collecting CCTV evidence• Attending court

What is the role?• Visiting people to reassure them after minor crimes

and anti-social behaviour incidents• Supporting Crime Prevention• Getting involved with key people in the local

community• Working with partner agencies• Organising and attending Community meetings• Work with Neighbourhood, Business, Shop Watch

schemes• Problem solving locally based issues

What is the role?In summary you will NOT…

• Have powers of arrest• Be able to interview or deal with prisoners• Investigate serious crime• Carry out the more complex and high- risk

tasks that Police Officers perform

Expectations of youIt is very important that prior to submitting an application to become a PCSO, you consider the following:

• Be able to undertake a physical job and need to work in all weathers outside often on foot patrol

• Work shifts covering from 7am to midnight (shift patterns vary by location)

• Be flexible – changing shifts to meet demands and stay on duty• Adhere to the forces core Values – Integrity, Service,

Compassion, Professionalism, Fairness & Equality (Race & Diversity)

• Be aged 18 no upper age limit• Have experience of dealing with the public in a formal role• Must not be a member of the British National Party, Combat 18

or the National Front

Recruitment Process1. Complete & submit your application form2. Application forms will be shortlisted3. If successful you will be invited to Assessment Centre &

Physical Fitness Test4. If successful you will be invited to a Force Interview 5. Conditional offer6. Pre-employment checks including biometrics, medical

and references7. If successful you will receive a Final Offer of

appointment

Completion of the Application & Vetting Forms• Research & prepare prior to completing• Ensure that all parts are fully and

accurately completed – spelling & grammar

• Competency Based Questions (CBQ)• We are assessing you so be honest• Use example from personal, work, social,

education

• You will not be able to apply for a PC role whilst going through the PCSO process

Paper Sifting• Residency – 3 year residency rule – applicants

who cannot be vetted cannot be appointed• Reasons for leaving previous employment• Financial position – CCJ’s, IVA’s, Debt Mgt Plan• Criminal Convictions• If the form is incomplete or illegible you will be

rejected (includes declaration)• Please speak to Karen Woolley (Force Vetting

Investigator) after the Seminar

Assessment CentreTests can include:

• Solving problems using different maths calculations and tables for information

• Listening to information while making notes and then writing this as written statement

• Problem solving scenario – offering options to solve a community related issue in a short written report

• Fitness Test – Shuttle run (15 metre track to a series of beeps) Level 5.4 is the minimum.

Interview • Different day to the assessment centre• Based at Cheshire HQ• Panel of three members• Last approx. 45 minutes – 1 hour• 5 minute presentation (topic given upon invite)• You will be asked Questions relating to the PERSONAL

QUALITIES relevant to the role• Use your own experience and examples to support your

answers• You will be prompted if required

Final Stages• Medical

• Signed GP statement (fee payable by applicant)• Opticians • Occupational Health (Medical Appointment)

• Drug Screening Test• Provisional offer of employment made• Final vetting/ security checks/ references/ biometrics• Uniform fitting• Commence Employment

Key Dates (Subject to change): ACTIVITY DATE

Q&A Session Friday 24th April 12-1pm PCSO Advert opens Friday 1st May 2015Workshop Friday 1st May 2015Q&A Session Monday 11th May 6-7pm PCSO Advert closes Sunday 17th May 2015 Assessment Centre & Fitness Test Monday 1st June 2015 Interviews & Pre-employment w/c 15th June 2015

Intake Tuesday 1st September 2015

ANY QUESTIONS