The police
Community Support Officer (CSO)
As a Community Support Officer (CSO) you will support the work of your local police force and provide a visible and reassuring presence on the streets. It is a paid role, although you won’t have the same powers as a regular officer.
Community Support Officers particularly work to reassure the public and to tackle the social menace of anti-social behaviour.
What you'll do as a Community Support Officer
Working under the direction of a police commander, you will find yourself fighting a range of crime and disorder problems. Just some of the problems you might have to deal with include:
- contributing to the regeneration of local communities
- increasing public safety
- dealing with truants, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, litter, missing persons enquiries
- confiscating alcohol being consumed in a public place
- helping to support victims
- controlling crowds at major events
Community Support Officers spend much of their time on patrol in communities and you should approach them with any questions or worries you have about anti-social behaviour or crime in your area.
Police powers
Depending on your role, you may also be given some police powers, including:
- to detain someone until a constable arrives
- to direct traffic and remove vehicles
- to issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour
Becoming a CSO
If you’re interested in finding out more about becoming a CSO, you should contact your local force (new window).
For more information on the life of a Community Support Officer, take a look at the police recruitment website: www.policecouldyou.gov.uk (new window).
