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The training for a police community support officer (PCSO) provides you with the knowledge, skills and legislative powers to enable you to carry out your duties, including first aid and personal safety.
As a PCSO, your training is among the most important tools at your disposal. It’s what enables you to deal calmly with whatever challenges arise each day and to serve your community with confidence.
On appointment as a PCSO, you’ll begin with ten weeks of training, Monday to Friday. This will introduce you to the Met and to your new role, as well as helping you build skills and knowledge in areas such as:
Throughout your training, you’ll be tested on what you’ve learned. The results of these tests will be used, together with your overall performance during the course, to identify any areas where you require further development.
Your first day will be at Hendon. After that you’ll spent the next six week either at Hendon or at our other training centre Marlowe House. Weeks 7-8 will be spent working in the London borough that you will return to after you’ve completed your training. Over these two weeks you’ll work alongside experienced colleagues called coached patrols. Your final two weeks will be back at Hendon or Marlowe House.
For weeks 1-6 and 9-10 you will work Monday to Friday on either a week of early shifts (0700 – 1500) or a week of late shifts (1400 – 2200), alternating weekly.
For weeks 7-8 you will be based in your London borough and will work a pattern of shifts between 0700 – 2200.
The training provided is designed to give you skills and knowledge, including your legal powers. You’ll complete safety training called Public & Personal Safety Training (PPST).
Once you’ve successfully completed your initial training, you’ll return to your London borough and join a Basic Command Unit (BCU). In the Met, a number of boroughs, between two and four is called a BCU. Here you’ll receive further training, tailored to the requirements of your specific role. Your first year as a PCSO will be a probationary period.
Discover what a PCSO is and the rewarding work you can do.
Learn about the different types of work you could be doing.
Find out where you can work and what shifts you can do.
Hear stories from serving PCSOs.
Find out if you meet our eligibility criteria.
Discover what you'll earn and the perks you can enjoy.
Begin your application here.