5. Who we are looking for

There are no formal educational requirements to become a PCSO, although you’ll need to have a reasonable standard of English. Applicants should hold a GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) in English. Evidence of qualification will be required. For those who do not hold this qualification, a written test will be available.

Some of our PCSO roles in our Road Traffic Policing Command will need a full driving license.

You must be 17 or older when applying to join us. Applicants who are 17 will progress through the recruitment process but will not be able to take up appointment as an officer until reaching the age of 18. Typically, the upper age limit is 57.

You need to tell us about other jobs or business interests you want to keep up after you join us, so we can check these do not conflict with working for the Met. This is all part of maintaining our high standards.

Ideally, you shouldn't have a criminal conviction or cautions record.

If you do have one, eligibility will depend on the age and nature of the offence. We're unable to confirm whether your convictions record will affect your application before you apply but will determine this from the full and confidential information provided during the recruitment and selection process.

If you don't tell us about any cautions, investigations or criminal convictions that may be linked to you at an early stage, your application could be refused simply because you weren't open and up front, whereas it might have been accepted if you were. If in any doubt, disclose the information.

It’s important that you’re not under pressure from un-discharged debts or liabilities and that you can manage loans and debts sensibly.

Fitness

You will need to pass a fitness test. It’s called the 'bleep test'. You will be required to run up and down a 15-metre track beating a ‘bleep’. At the end of each level the time between bleeps gets shorter, meaning you have to run faster. The whole test takes three minutes and 35 seconds and covers a total of 525 metres.

Start preparing now by watching our YouTube video for tips and download the Met's six week training programme. If you fail on your first attempt, don’t worry you can try twice more. Find out more on the College of Policing website.

Medical conditions

Some medical conditions can prevent you from being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job. HM government medical standards information gives full details on illnesses, injuries and disorders that will affect your ability to work as a police community support officer.

Eyesight

You must meet the police eyesight standards. These are the same no matter which force you join. Your eyesight is tested as part of your medical, which takes place during the application process. 

Memberships of groups and organisations that contradict our values, standards and behaviour and our commitment to equality, are prohibited. The Met won’t accept applications from anyone who is, or has been, a member of groups and organisations including, but not limited to, the British National Party (BNP), National Front, Combat 18, or similar.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. Due to changes in legislation, members of the European Economic Area (EAA) are now required to have ILR or EU settled status.

If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

If you are currently using any illegal drugs, this will rule you out of the recruitment process automatically. You may be selected to undertake a substance misuse test as part of the pre-employment checks in the recruitment process.

If you’ve got a tattoo you’ll need to tell us about it when you apply. We’ve got a tattoo policy that you’ll need to meet.

You can’t join with tattoos that are on: Some tattoos will stop you working for the Met, these include tattoos on:

• the sides and front of your neck above the collar line
• your face

You can join if you have tattoos on: You will be allowed to work for the Met if you have tattoos:

• your hands
• the back of your neck
• below your collar line
• your ears
• behind your ears 

You also can’t join with tattoos that are on:  Tattoos that are considered to be against the Met’s standards and values will mean you are unable to join us. That would include tattoos that are:

• discriminatory
• offensive
• violent
• rude
• lewd
• crude
• racist
• sexist
• sectarian
• homophobic
• intimidating
• political in nature  

Sometimes we will require you to cover up your tattoos for policing events such as ceremonial events.

If you have larger visible tattoos on your hands or back of the neck that cannot be easily covered, or are not discreet, then this could still be disqualified during the recruitment process. Decisions regarding appropriateness of tattoos are made at the sole discretion of the Met.

Everything we do is underpinned by our values. We are looking for those who share in these values to join us:

Integrity 

I will always try to do the right thing. I will be fair and consistent in everything I do, being mindful of the impact of my actions. I will actively challenge those whose behaviour falls below public and the Met's expectations.

Courage

I will show courage by making tough decisions when needed. I will always challenge racist, homophobic, misogynistic and any other discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. I will show humility.

Accountable

I will strive to build trust with the public, colleagues, and partners, by being open, honest and taking ownership for what I have done and why. I will admit when I make mistakes, learn from them and improve.

Respect 

I will respect the rights of everyone I meet. I will listen to individual perspectives and needs. I will try my best to understand a diverse range of views and achieve the best possible outcomes for the public.

Empathy

I will care about communities and colleagues and try to understand their perspectives and experiences, at all times. I will be kind and listen and understand without judgement. I will take time to clarify and explain my decisions.

Everyone joining the Met must be vetted. Vetting checks are an important way to maintain our high standards and reassure Londoners that appropriate checks are done on people who hold a position of trust, such as our officers and staff. 

Find out more about the vetting process here.