PCSOs granted 20 new powers in Staffordshire
POLICE community support officers in Staffordshire can now seize drugs and alcohol and detain suspects after being granted 20 new powers.
The move has doubled the number of powers available to the county's 219 PCSOs. But they are still not able to arrest suspects, and have to wait for back-up.
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It has led to fears of "policing on the cheap" as the county force tries to cope with losing more than 300 officers in just 12 months.
The PSCOs will undergo training before they can use their new powers, which will allow them to:
Detain suspects, and use reasonable force to detain;
Seize drugs;
Search for alcohol and tobacco;
Issue fixed penalty notices for disorder offences;
Disperse groups and take under-16s home.
PCSOs have always had limited powers, including dealing with traffic offences, anti-social behaviour and underage drinking, and the new powers are all discretionary.
Andy Adams, chairman of Staffordshire Police Federation, believes the powers will put more pressure on the decreasing number of officers.
He said: "PCSOs have definitely got a place in the organisation, but there has to be a clear difference between them and warranted officers. I do see some issues with these powers, particularly in relation to the power to detain people, because an officer will then have to come and take over. "Officer numbers are shrinking so they are not going to be readily available to assist."
Staffordshire Police were one of the last forces to issue PCSOs with stab vests two years ago after the officers complained they were being confronted more on duty.
The force's Unison branch secretary Michael Shepherd, whose union represents PCSOs, said: "This change has been driven by PCSOs, who felt the powers should be discretionary.
"We didn't want PCSOs to be put in a position of risk, to break the bond they have created with the public or for them to be policing on the cheap.
"The Chief Constable wishes to maintain the level of community policing. If police officers are being taken off the streets an alternative needs to be found, and at the moment the only alternative is PCSOs."
Assistant chief constable Julian Blazeby said: "I am keen to ensure that PCSOs have the right powers to do their job effectively and provide the best possible service to our communities. The clear distinction between officers and PCSOs will remain."
Tom Simpson, pictured, secretary of Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents' Association, today welcomed the move.
He said: "Times are really difficult in every walk of life, especially with all the cutbacks. I suppose it could be seen as getting something done on the cheap.
"But in Sandyford and Goldenhill, we've noticed a real difference by having PCSOs. Anything that gives them extra powers, especially to deal with drugs and anti-social behaviour, is welcome."
Comment: Page 10
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by Jobeeone
Tuesday, February 14 2012, 5:17PM
“Zoiders. I assume then that you are the expert. The wind my neck in comment is not appreciated from someone who is so obviously more intelligent than I. I am not a busy body in any shape or form. And if you are part of the police force then I suggest there are no more campaigns to improve your imgame or community police. What a foul aggressive person you are avoider!!!”
by zoiders
Sunday, February 12 2012, 10:23PM
“Jeebone - you sound like a busy body. You haven't checked your facts, just as others have pointed out there is no direct link between the two roles of Constable and PCSO and having seen the standard of some PCSO's no one who wants to be a Constable would consider it as a sensible career path to be a PCSO first IMHO - as you have been told. The Met have only been forced to take on specials as they do not have the money to run as many direct entry intakes as they would like to due to cut backs, given a choice they would not take on specials full time - it's long been known that a lot of constabularies don't take specials on full time for various reasons.
You are just making assumptions - your brief contact with the police has made you assume you are an expert on the issue.
Wind your neck in and stop talking rubbish.”
by Jobeeone
Friday, February 10 2012, 1:21PM
“One has an option. A child depends on what it is taught . And if what that child is taught? No matter. I taught my child well but she still hates me!!!”
by nightlight16
Friday, February 10 2012, 12:15AM
“kid those days don't understand the word no -and push what can the parents do .Schools got no wright .Ya pcsos welcome.All the way”
by Jobeeone
Thursday, February 09 2012, 9:18PM
“mousey32. Get rid of what you titless cretin!!!”
by mousey32
Thursday, February 09 2012, 7:11PM
“Get rid simple”
by Jobeeone
Thursday, February 09 2012, 6:15PM
“Thank you media. But as I said the people who police our communities deserve alot more respect than they get. As I said before apart from God and your Mum who do you call?”
by mediamaniaX
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:39PM
“Jobeone - a pcso's role is totally separate from that of a regular police officer. There is no automatic progression from one to the other although a serving pcso may acquire certain, albeit limited skills that may assist in future applications.
Regarding the article I believe it's a great thing to allow our pcso's to have the extra powers. With the massive cuts in officer numbers, I am sure every little will help!”
by Jobeeone
Thursday, February 09 2012, 3:47PM
“Thanks Doc but what got me the most about zoider the avoider is that he/she has this awful attitude towards Stokies. Its as though anything we say is irrelevent because of where we live. This attitude is mirrored in the officers who run our civic centre.
As far as I have been informed the entrance to the police force now involves a two year period as a pcso or what we used to call a beat bobby. I imagine that the job gives recruits an enormous amount of hands on experience. For others it may be that they prefer the role to one involving periods of inaction. Either way these people deserve alot more respect than is seen on this page. And where is this knowledge zoider the avoider? You will know that a comment has been posted as your email will tell you. So dazzle us lowly Stokies with your wit and charm.”
by DoctorDo
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 9:17PM
“@zoiders
"just as being a Special has been known to be the kiss of the death to any chances of a full time career as a proper copper."
Don't know where this comes from. A few months back the BBC reported that the Met Police will now only recruit regular officers who've already been specials.
How long before other forces adopt this policy?”