Police Community Support Officers

How do PCSOs differ from Police Officers?

Police Community Support Officer

Specialist unit vehicles
  • Member of MPS police staff
  • Limited (designated) powers
  • Power of detention in certain circumstances
  • Intelligence gathering
  • Carries protective vest and radio
  • No duty to intervene can withdraw from high risk situations
  • Local resource

Police Officer

Specialist unit vehicles
  • Full powers
  • Power of arrest
  • Intelligence gathering and enforcement
  • Carries protective vest, radio, handcuffs, baton & CS spray
  • Has a positive 'duty' to act
  • Pan-London resource

PCSO