Police community support officer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Police community support officers (PCSOs) work in a neighbourhood policing team dealing with minor offences and crime prevention.

  • Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.  
  • Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.  
  • Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.  
  • Render aid to
Read more about Police community support officer

Police community support officers typically work around 39 to 41 hours per week.

As a Police community support officer you will typically work evenings / weekends / bank holidays.

This occupation tends to be:

  • Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely
  • Read more about Police community support officer
    * from ONETonline
    Average salary
    25,821 GBP *
    per year
    17,500 GBP
    23,250 GBP
    Starting
    5+ Experience
    * data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
    Average salary for Police community support officer

    • 26,263 GBP
    • 25,119 GBP
    Average salary for part-time Police community support officer
    Average salary for full-time Police community support officer

    Showing:
    • 19,068 GBP
    • 19,068 GBP
    • 25,821 GBP
    • 25,119 GBP
    • 26,263 GBP
    Salary over time for Police community support officer

    Salary for this role has increased over time
    • 26,418 GBP
    • 26,813 GBP
    • 26,720 GBP
    • 27,125 GBP
    • 29,704 GBP
    • 25,953 GBP
    • 25,821 GBP
    • 26,953 GBP
    Ads

    Future outlook for Police community support officers

    pointer
    Balanced outlook
    12 000+ jobs available
    pointer
    Balanced outlook
    0% yearly wage growth (on average)
    pointer
    Balanced outlook
    41% chance of automation in the future

    Police community support officer - Your future job?


    Which qualifications do I need?

    Find out what you need to know in order to become a Police community support officer and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

    In terms of people already doing this job:

    • 35% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
    • 27% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma
    • 24% of people in this role have a Diploma of Higher Education or equivalent

    You can apply to become a police community support officer and often don't need formal qualifications. Employers will be more interested in your personal qualities and character.

    You'll need a good level of spoken and written English, so some police forces may ask for English GCSE at grade 4 (C).

    Each police force has its own selection process. This will usually involve:

    • written tests
    • an interview
    • an interactive test to see how you work with other people

    Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Police community support officer

    Policing

    What soft skills do I need?

    Rise above the competition by brushing up on the 5 most important soft skills you need to become a Police community support officer.
    Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
    Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
    Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively
    Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
    Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do

    What technical skills do I need?

    Technical skills are programmes, softwares and things you need to know in order to be a successful Police community support officer. Check that you know:
    1
    Data base user interface and query software Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS; Microsoft Access
    2
    Graphics or photo imaging software DesignWare 3D EyeWitness; Microsoft Visio
    3
    Map creation software Crime mapping software; ESRI ArcView
    4
    Office suite software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite; Microsoft Office
    5
    Spreadsheet software IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel
    Improve your skills today

    Policing

    Things to highlight for your Police community support officer interview

    Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

    Not sure if you are in the right job?

    Take our career change quiz