The Police Reform Act Part 4 Sec 38 introduced the Office of Police Community Support Officer

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.027753

I note you seek access to the following information:

The Police Reform Act Part 4 Section 38 introduced the Office of Police Community Support Officer.

"The chief officer of police of any police force may designate a relevant employee as either or both of the following".

I am interested in the act of designation and seek the following information:

1. Who is the Chief Officer?
2. Any published 'designation' procedure within the organisation?
3. Is there a central register of PCSO's so designated?
4. What does the Metropolitan Police acknowledge as proof of designation? i.e. what record is kept of the act of designation?
5. What is the retention period for this record?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Who is the Chief Officer?

The Commisioner of Police of the Metropolis Sir Mark Rowley.

Under Section 38 Police Reform Act 2002, the Commissioner may designate members of the MPS civil staff as Community Support Officers, with powers under Schedule 4 of the Act. Utilising Section 9F Police Act 1996, the Commissioner has delegated this responsibility to any Assistant Commissioner.

Q2 - Any published 'designation' procedure within the organisation?

Schedules of suitable staff will be submitted periodically for the Commissioner to confirm designation (Delegated to Assistant Commissioner). This designation will be signed by the Commissioner (Assistant Commissioner) therefore designating the statutory powers, and recorded on a registered file.

The manager of the PCSO Training Centre will be responsible for keeping records of staff who pass the initial training course. Details of these officers will be published in Personnel Notices and recorded on the officer’s personnel file.

Q3 - Is there a central register of PCSO's so designated?

Whilst an individual’s designation as a PCSO is recorded on HR systems within their personnel file and the PCSO Training Centre retain the registered designation dockets, there is no central database as such.

Q4 - What does the Metropolitan Police acknowledge as proof of designation? i.e. what record is kept of the act of designation?

A combination of an individual’s signed designation record, HR record, police staff pass, uniform and designation card.

Q5 - What is the retention period for this record?

The length of service that the individual remains employed by the MPS as a PCSO.