To make you aware, that under no circumstances should a Police Community Support Officer be in plain clothes, you are employed to create public reassurance, and to prevent crime. You have no business being involved in the detection of crime, you are given a uniform to wear, and you must wear it whilst performing operational duties.

Just to point out a few things, I a was a reserve police officer in Northern Ireland, I had the same powers as a regular officer and did the same job. I have the most respect for PCSO's out there doing a front line job without the powers and support that I as a reserve had. Keep up the good work lads/lass and I hope that PCSO comes to Northern Ireland soon to continue the service that the public needs.

Hi just like to say i like what you are trying to do but i have to say you are not doing a great job of it. I have been a PCSO for 5 years and i have heard most of the comments about pcsos more than once. I am also one of the idiots used by my force as a pcso rep.
If you want to improve the perseption of pcsos you have to play the game and do everything by the book unfortunately because if not you will end up like several pcsos in my division and find yourself without a job. for example as Mr ball so eloquently put it yor are given a uniform so wear it. what he neglects to point out is that yes we can do plain clothed duties as required however without your uniform you have no legal powers there for you cannot use your pcso powers to demand names and addresses etc for those delightful little cherubs who are causing the asb on your area. Its interesting really to read your blog though as it shows there are so many differences between forces the first one that i notice immediately was that your shifts finish at what i assume is 2200 hrs where as ours go to at least 0000 if not full nights

anyway keep up the good work and try not to land yourself in it.

Sorry but i think the concept of PCSOs are flawed. When will the government do a serious cost benefit analysis of the role. For the money they do very little and I believe have a negliable effect on crime.

Why have 4 PCSOs when you can have 3 police officers.

Its about time PCSO'S are given some praise for what they do. The arguement regarding why have 4 pcso's when you can have 3 pc's is getting boring, pcso's are here and its about time people got used to it, the majority of pc's I work with are great, very supportive of our role and appreciate us being there. Why not speak to your local psco and help them gather info about what's going on in the community rather than badger them about what a crap job they do. Just like pc's pcso's are front line officers and deserve the respect for the job they do, fair enough we dont have the same powers but we do have powers and when used correctly they are effective. To think as a front line officer of any sort we wont encounter hostile situations is pretty naive. Not everyone can do a job like that. At the end of the day its up to the government to give pcso's more powers and the training to go with them. Good luck to all the pcso's out there your doing a great job.Keep up the good work.

folks we are doing a good job, i have been a PCSO for two years and have seen and more importantly been told by the public that I and my colleages have improved their quality of life. It is in equal measure the most rewarding and frustrating role I have ever had. Unlike most I dont want to join the regulars ,losing my freedom to a paperwork mountain has no appeal.This role is only just developing and I want to be there to influence where it goes.So ignore the negative press,Wear the uniform with pride and remember we have very powerful support..... The Public.