A new UNISON survey of 2,700 Police Community Support Officers reveals today that eight in ten (81%) say they need additional powers to do their jobs effectively. And more than half (57%) believe their current powers are not enough.
It also found that the majority (80%) agreed that their role should remain focused on community engagement and tackling low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.
UNISON believes PCSOs across the country should have access to all existing powers* and is calling for the distinction between standard and discretionary powers to be abolished.
UNISON national officer for police staff, Ben Priestley, said:
“PCSOs are the eyes and ears of their communities. They obtain invaluable intelligence for officers but often find themselves powerless to act decisively because of randomly imposed restrictions over their powers.
“The Government needs to give them the powers they need to get on with the job. PCSOs should be able to search people for drugs or stolen goods, disperse groups and issue fixed-penalty fines for parking offences.
“Currently, it’s up to Chief Constables whether or not PCSOs have access to this list of ‘discretionary powers’. We want all PCSOs to have access to all the powers so they can be a more effective and reassuring presence on the street.”
“Proposals to improve dispersal powers and give PCSOs the power to issue parking fines are welcome but much more needs to be done if we want PCSOs to be fully operational.”
A UNISON member commenting on the remit of PCSOs said: “Not being able to act in certain situations such as parking obstructions outside schools or shoplifting can make PCSOs look powerless in the eyes of the on-looking public if they are unable to deal with even relatively simple situations.”
Another member said: “ PCSOs provide a crucial link with local communities, targeting minor anti social behaviour offences which actually have a huge impact on communities and these are the low level incidents they see every day. Without PCSOs’ continued focus on these matters this link would be lost and as a result the trust and confidence the communities have in the police.”
A PCSO said: “We are in a uniform and regardless of the title on the front, we are expected by the public to take action if something is happening.
“Having the powers and training would assist us in dealing with a wider variety of situations such as underage drinking, drug possessions, truancy and littering which is what the public expect.”
Ends
Notes to editors
UNISON represents around 8,000 police community support officers.
*Full list of standard and discretionary powers