Pioneers of policing – celebrating 20 years of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)
Main article content
This week, the exceptional work of our Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) is being celebrated at a two-day event to mark the 20th anniversary of the role’s creation.
PCSOs have become a vital link between communities and the police since they were established by the 2002 Police Reform Act. Rooted in local areas, PCSOs provide a highly visible police presence. They deter anti-social behaviour, provide reassurance, resolve disputes and work with businesses, school and others to keep communities safe. They tackle a multitude of issues including hate crimes, anti-social behaviour, noise, parking, fly tipping and criminal damage.
At Leicestershire Police, the first PCSOs started in 2003 and Nad Ikram joined in the very first cohort. He said; “I was working in a call centre and it was the people engagement part of my job that I really valued and enjoyed. I was looking for a new opportunity and I saw an advert in the paper for a PCSO and I thought, ‘let’s have a go.’
Nad joined the force on the 24th March 2003 on the Oadby beat and has been there ever since. “For me, I have never looked back and twenty years later, here I am. The job has changed over the twenty years but in a positive way.
“The main change has been around technology. It has allowed us to be out in our communities more. Where there is clerical work to do, we can do it on work mobiles or laptops and we now carry body warn video. Technology has allowed us to engage more because it allows us to be out more and social media is a great tool too to reach out to those people who might not see us in person but can see us online.
“I love my beat and have worked in Oadby all of my police career which is a diverse area with a large Asian population and a mix of communities including Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and Christian.
“As a Muslim Officer I do regular visit the Oadby Gurdwara (Sikh temple) and always feel welcome and everyone knows me there. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your background is, it’s all about having that understanding and cultural awareness about your area. This in turn builds positive community relationships and engagement.”
Nad was presented with an award the last time he visited the Gurdwara in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the people who pray there.
“As a more experienced PCSO, I believe it is my duty to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of PCSOs, and police officers. We do need talented people coming in and joining us and I would recommend anyone who values being around people and values community engagement to join us, definitely.”
Superintendent Paul Allen, said; “It is great to recognise the work of the PCSOs, the work they contribute to the force and the communities is incredible, they are at the heart of the community work we do.
“We have an awards event, over two days, to make sure we can celebrate and recognise the work they do, meeting them all and saying here’s to the next 20 years.”
Unlike police officers, PCSOs can join a trade union and many of them are UNISON members. Paul Gurney Branch Chair, Leicestershire Police Unison, said; “In the 20 years that PCSO’s have been part of the policing family, they have become an integral and recognisable part of neighbourhood policing. Our PCSO’s are highly valued by the communities they serve and UNISON is proud to support them.”
The force is marking the 20th anniversary of PCSOs by holding two events on the 15th and 16th of November at force headquarters to reward, acknowledge and celebrate our wonderful PCSOs.
Leicestershire Police is currently looking for more PCSOs and recruitment is open at the moment. You can find out more on the force website.