Life as a PCSO

“I sought to become a PCSO to benefit the community I come from, and the wider Sussex community we’re all a part of. I grew up seeing some vulnerable kids exploited so I’ve used this role and my experience to engage with young people and reassure them that we’re all here to support and protect them against hurt and harm.” 
Mohamed, PCSO

As a PCSO you will be a vital part of our local policing service – helping to solve local challenges by getting out into the towns and villages of Sussex, meeting people and offering advice and support. You’ll be the public face of Sussex Police; ensuring we’re fulfilling our commitment to keep communities safe and feeling safe, that we identify and protect vulnerable people and are continually preventing and responding to harm.

You will seek to prevent crime and disorder in the community, building trusted relationships with the public and community leaders to ensure minor offences are identified and dealt with. While PCSOs do not have powers of arrest and cannot interview or process prisoners, you will have the power for a wide range of situations including issuing fixed penalty notices, requiring contact details and seizing drugs.

Our PCSOs are attached to:

• East Sussex – Battle, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings and Lewes.
• Brighton and Hove - Crowhurst Road (Hollingbury), John Street (Brighton) and Hove Town Hall.
• West Sussex - Bognor, Chichester, Crawley, Haywards Heath, Horsham and Worthing.

The normal working week for PCSOs is 37 hours. You will work Monday to Sunday between the hours of 8:00am and midnight on a rotating shift pattern which includes evenings, weekends and bank holidays - there is an example shift pattern at the bottom of this page. We also recognise the benefits of flexible working and are committed to equality of opportunity and the promotion of work-life balance. We will support opportunities for flexible working within the organisation where practical and suitable to promote a work-life balance and enable the recruitment and retention of a workforce which is representative of the diverse communities we serve.

To hear what life is really like as a PCSO, watch the videos below.