• To reduce crime, the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour by providing a high visibility presence. Your presence will deter many offences and antisocial behaviour.
  
• To deal with minor offences using the powers you are designated with by the Chief Constable. This early intervention very often prevents and deters people from committing offences. It also stops a minor problem escalating into a major situation.
  
• To support front line policing - carrying out duties such as house to house enquiries, crime scene guards or providing crime prevention advice.

There will be many other duties to perform and each day will bring you new challenges and rewards. Whatever you are tasked to do you will be an important part of the extended police family in Sussex. Working together to make a difference.

What is the salary?
Your basic salary will start at £17,190 whilst in training. When you start working your shift pattern, the shift allowance will take this to £20,664 with a maximum salary for this grade of £22,611.

What hours will I work?
You will work a ten week shift pattern. The shifts will range from any time from 8am through to midnight. The shift pattern will mean that you will be working up to 40 weekend days per year. You will receive a shift allowance in recognition of this.

Will I get a uniform?
Yes you will.

Will I get handcuffs, a baton and captor spray?
No, PCSOs are not used to carry out confrontational duties, only police officers carry such equipment.

What other equipment will I get?
You will have a radio, a mobile phone and body armour.

Will I be patrolling in a car?
No, PCSOs only use vehicles for transport. They spend over 80% of their time on foot or cycle patrol. You can only build links with the public by being accessible and familiar to them.

Will I have to work shifts?
Yes, you will work a ten week shift span ranging from 08:00 - midnight, working up to 40 weekend days per year.

Will I receive any training?
Yes, there is a modular course designed to provide you with the training and skills that you will need to do your job. You will be closely monitored during your probation and part of your shift pattern caters for training days.

I have heard a lot of people call this policing on the cheap, is it?
No, you are an additional resource there to compliment and support regular officers. There is a clear need for PCSOs: they have much to offer the public, the extended police family and our partners.

What training will I be given?
You will undertake a six week training course at HQ. During that time you will receive classroom based training in subjects such as health and safety, unarmed defence training, first aid, diversity and legislation. You will then go out on division where you will have a tutor to work with until you achieve independant patrol.

Your progress will continue to be monitored and you will attend further training days.

Where in Sussex can I work?
PCSOs are being recruited to work on every Sussex Police division.

Will I have to work alone?
You will work alongside police officers and other police staff as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team. You will also have opportunities to work with Specials and other warden schemes. Whatever you do you will be supervised by a police sergeant who will monitor your daily tasks.

Will I have the power to detain or arrest people?
PCSOs in Sussex do not have the power to detain they have only the common law powers of arrest that members of the public have.

So can I really make a difference?
Yes because you will be concentrating on your community, providing the visible reassurance and dealing with low level nuisance offences that do not require the full powers of a police officer. You will not be expected to respond to emergencies like a police officer does, but you may from time to time be required to assist in slow time enquiries when there is an operational need.