How to become a police community support officer
Official title: Police community support officers
Also called: Rail community officer, Civilian support officer, Community support officer, Community protection officer, Police community support officer, Police community protection officer
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) support the local police force by patrolling the streets to provide a visible and reassuring presence and to tackle a range of crime and disorder problems. PCSOs are also attached to the British Transport Police who operate the specialised police service for the railway network across Britain.
Main tasks
- Patrols a geographic area to monitor and deter criminal and anti-social activity and disorderly conduct
- Assists police officers at crime scenes and major events
- Carries out house-to-house enquiries
- Provides crime prevention advice and helps to support victims of crime
- May detain someone pending the arrival of a police officer
- May direct traffic and arrange for vehicles to be removed
How to become one
There are no formal educational requirements although entrants must pass written tests and undergo a medical check including an eyesight test. Nationality restrictions apply and background security checks will be made.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Police community support officer (level 4). England. Typically 12 months. Skills England standard ST0509.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £35,748 a year The middle half earn £34,354 to null.
- About 13,400 people work in this job now, and about 14,400 are projected by 2035. (+7.1%)
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Questions people ask
How do I become a police community support officer?
There are no formal educational requirements although entrants must pass written tests and undergo a medical check including an eyesight test. Nationality restrictions apply and background security checks will be made.
How much does a police community support officer earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £35,748 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Is a police community support officer a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 13,400 to about 14,400 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a police community support officer?
Usually not. Only 24% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Police community support officer (level 4).
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03