Again another difference has become apparent, between pcso's and pc's.

The other day I was on routine patrol when I heard a radio shout for a male shoplifting in the local superdrug.
I made my way to the area and spoke with the guard outside who confirmed that the male had various products inside of his jacket and would be exiting the shop any moment.

I used my radio to ask camera control to direct the nearest cctv camera onto the outside of the shop.
As I was doing this a male came running from the shop and threw his bag at me in an effort to slow me down.
I began pursuit of the male, and detained him roughly half a mile from the shop.
The updates I was passing over the radio allowed a van to arrive at my location as I detained him.
The items were subsequently recovered and the male in question taken to the cells.

This is where the difference comes into play...
You may be thinking that a pc could run faster, or would have been in a car and caught him sooner, or some other misguided opinion.

The copper that got out of the van (and a few back at the nick) said "what the hell did you chase him all this way for?, I would have given up outside the shop"

Just remember that I ain't tarring all pc's with the same brush, I have no doubt that some pc's would have pursued the male until captured, the same that some pcso's would have jumped into water, tackled aggressive kids etc.....we are all different why can't people see that

Thanks for all the comments and emails over the past couple of months.
I have been laying low a little and working hard after a lad at my station was dismissed for posting information of a sensitive nature in his blog.
Although I have not posted anything I shouldn't have, I took the decision to let the incident pass before I continued my own blog.

Well quite a bit has happened since my last update, both good and bad.....

BAD

A fellow PCSO was assaulted whilst trying to keep hold of a male who had just assaulted his wife. Not a job he was sent to, just an incident that he walked into in the middle of a shopping centre.
And before anyone jumps on the bandwagon of saying PCSO's are a waste of money as "if it had been a PC he would have been better equipped to deal", I would just like to give my view on the incident.

My colleague came across a male violently assaulting a famale whilst he was on patrol.
The members of the public in and around the area were simply walking around the incident.
My colleague shouted for asistance and then seperated the pair to try and prevent further injury to the female.
This male admitted in interview that he would have killed her if he had the chance.

From viewing the cctv I estimate that 250 - 300 people walked past the incident and did not help, will these people be shown in the scummy newspapers and shown to be unwilling to help a female in distress??
NO - The same as my colleagues gallant efforts won't be reported, as cowardice only exists in those who wear unfiroms apparantly.

Finally for some good news,

I spotted a local likely lad and carried out a routine check on him.
Nothing of note came back and he went on his merry way.
I was aware that 2 months ago he was said to be carrying weopons in his bag, so I asked for a unit to attend and search the male.
I followed him until the unit arrived and searched him.....BINGO.....a double edged samurai sword in his backpack.

Again good news doesn't make readable news in the tabloids for the gullible