Once appointed you will have an 18 week comprehensive training course which will start your 1 year probation period as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). The training covers all the essential skills you need including a patrol with a Tutor PCSO.

You will also keep a Student Officer Learning Assessment Portfolio (SOLAP) which shows evidence of your performance throughout your training and must be finished before the end of your probation period.

 

Stage 1

You will start your training with a Stage 1, a four week non-residential course at the Operations and Communications Centre (OCC), Police Headquarters in Wymondham.

It is classroom based and the subjects that you will cover include:

• Standards and expectations of Norfolk Constabulary
• Roles and responsibilities of a PCSO
• Patrol duties
• Personal Safety Training, including Conflict Management Training
• Problem solving
• Crime prevention
• First aid

You will also be issued with your uniform and given guidance on how it must be worn.

 

Stage 2

During Stage 2 you will spend five weeks with a Tutor PCSO patrolling your district and putting into practice everything you have learnt from your Stage 1 input.

 

Stage 3

Stage 3 is spent back in the classroom, usually at OCC and includes practical exercises and subjects on:

• Legislation, including crime and Anti-social Behaviour
• Powers and procedures of a PCSO
• Statement taking
• Interviewing witnesses
• Drug and alcohol awareness

You will then spend another six weeks with your Tutor PCSO from your area, once again applying the classroom based knowledge.

 

Paired patrolling

At the end of the 18 weeks training, once completed to a satisfactory standard, you will go out on patrol in your area for 15 weeks with another PCSO. After that, you are ready to patrol on your own.

 

Ongoing training

At Norfolk Constabulary, we believe development and training should be ongoing and you will be encouraged and expected to go out on attachments and be proactive in developing yourself throughout your career to support your role and personal development.

 

If you would like any further information about the role of a PCSO, please contact the Recruitment Team by telephoning 01953 425699 Ext. 2310 / 2311 or by emailing recruitment@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.