Police Community Support Officers

• A rewarding job, where no two days are the same.
• You will be constantly challenged and always learning.
• You will be valued for your contribution to your community.
• Good pay and an excellent benefits package
• Progression to become a Police Constable is available via any one of our entry route
• For professional profile information about possible progression routes, please see the College of Policing College of Policing Professional Profiles.

Salary update to £26,889-£28,146 PLUS Weekend Working Enhancement £3,288.09 (Based on Full Time Working)

• 37 hour working week (Full time).
• We operate an 8 week shift pattern, the earliest shift start time is 7am with the latest shift finish time being 10pm, with scheduled rest days.
• Weekend working is mandatory, 2 Saturdays and 2 Sundays (every 8 weeks).
• You will work 4 full weekends over a 8 week shift pattern.

• You must have achieved English GCSE (A*-C/9-4) or an equivalent Level 2 qualification (e.g. Functional Skills, O-Level or CSE Grade 1) and two A-Levels (A-E) or equivalent

• If you do not have two A Levels but do have at least one year of professional experience working in areas such as those below, we encourage you to apply. (Note that this is not an exhaustive list and all previous experience will be assessed on a case-by-case basis):

  • Armed forces
  • Border force
  • Criminal justice sector/CPS/courts
  • Cyber/digital and financial fraud crimes
  • Dedicated investigation or analytical role
  • Emergency services
  • Health and social care sectors
  • Justice and law enforcement sectors
  • Police staff, particularly custody, public contact/demand hub/enquiry office roles and investigative roles
  • PCSO or Special Constable
  • Prison service
  • Professional services/project management
  • Teaching
  • Youth work
  • Hospitality

• We will accept predicted grades from Level 3 students who wish to apply when we open for applications. You will be asked for a letter/statement from your school, college, or university, confirming predicted grades. We will also need confirmation of your final grades as soon as they are available.
• All applicants will need to provide proof of qualifications.
• You can obtain a replacement exam certificate or certified statement of results via the GOV.UK website

Age requirements

Applications can be accepted at the age of 17, providing you will be 18 by the time you are expected to start and have achieved the required qualifications. There is no upper age limit for applying to the police service.  However, a PCSO is demanding physically and mentally and you will need to be reasonably fit and in good health. We welcome all ages - a diverse workforce reflecting the communities we serve is the best way to be effective. No matter your age, you bring important skills and perspectives that are key tools for being a PCSO.

Nationality requirements

You must be a British citizen, an EC/EEA national or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom. 

You will need a minimum of three years continuous residential history in the UK for you to meet vetting requirements.

If you hold any overseas citizenship status please check that your application to Wiltshire Police will not affect any of your citizenship rights outside of the UK. Please email [email protected] should you have any questions regarding this.

Criminal record

A number of crimes will mean a definite or likely rejection of your application, including anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offence. If you are at all unsure, get in contact and ask.

Tattoos

Tattoos are very common; all tattoos that are reviewed to check appropriateness. Images that are grotesque, violent, have a strong religious or political connection or would undermine the dignity and authority of your role would not be acceptable.

Financial status

Applicants will have their financial status checked.  These checks are carried out because PCSOs have access to privileged information, which may make them vulnerable to corruption.  Applicants with who have had County Court judgements or may be on a Debt recovery plan will be assessed on a case by case basis. If you have any concerns please ask before applying for more information.

Physical fitness

To ensure you are fit enough for the role, you will undertake a fitness test.   We are looking for no more than the minimum standard needed to enable you to work effectively as a PCSO. You will be given help to improve your fitness and if you prepare yourself properly, there is no reason for you to fail.   You will need to complete personal safety training (PST) every year.    It is your responsibility to keep yourself fit at all times.

Health

PCSOs can encounter stressful situations, trauma, physical confrontation and work long hours on shifts. They need to be resilient enough to cope with the demands and pressures of police work. Applicants must therefore be in good health mentally and physically to undertake their duties.  You will undergo a medical examination to ensure you meet the health standards required.

Eyesight

Applicants will have their eyesight tested at the medical assessment stage. You may be asked to go to an optician to have your eyes tested and the eyesight form filled in. Failure to pass this test will lead to rejection.

Driving Licence

You will need a full UK manual driving licence. You can ‘apply’ without a driving licence but you will need a full UK manual driving licence (not a provisional licence) before you start your training which is approximately 4 months after applying.

Previous applications

You can apply to more than one force at a time if you wish.

To work for Wiltshire Police you need to be successfully vetted.

The following information will help you work out if you are eligible.

If you have any further questions please contact the Talent Acquisition Team.

• You must be available to attend all of the stages of the recruitment process

Our recruitment officers can answer any questions you may have and offer any support you need throughout the process.

Vetting levels

Successful applicants are subject to vetting prior to appointment. Please note there are different vetting levels depending on the type of role you are applying for, with some exceptions including individuals who work in the armed forces or government services.

Take a look at our S.T.A.R guidance before you start your application. We offer it as a simple guide to help you structure your answers - you don't have to use this technique in your application form but it may help you to organise your responses to the questions.

Positive Action

We welcome everyone from our diverse communities across Wiltshire and Swindon. We are keen to encourage people from ethnic minorities to apply to become Police Community Support Officers to reflect our growing skilled, diverse communities in our Staff and Officers. You will be supported through the application process by our Positive Action Team, please e-mail the team for further information [email protected]

Behaviour Based Assessment

So, what exactly is a behaviour-based assessment?

Unlike traditional tests or questionnaires, our task-based assessment doesn’t ask you any direct questions that have definitive answers or require written or spoken responses. Instead, you’ll take part in a series of interactive and engaging tasks designed to capture how you naturally think, behave, and solve problems.

Each task collects data points based on your natural responses and interactions, so there’s no need to practice or second-guess what employers are looking for. Just be yourself.

The goal for this kind of testing is to give our Hiring Managers meaningful insight into your potential — helping them understand how well you might fit with a particular role or team. So, the best advice is simple: complete each task in the way that feels most natural to you. Once you're done, you can trust that your results will reflect a fair and accurate snapshot of who you are — and what you could bring to the role.

Once you've completed the assessment, you'll receive a candidate report that gives you informative insights and feedback. At the same time, we will be able to view how you performed in the different areas that were being assessed, helping us to better understand your strengths and suitability for the role.

• Competitive basic salary, plus unsocial hours and weekend working payment
• 25 days paid annual leave
• We're a family friendly force - we support flexible and agile working and offer excellent maternity and paternity leave entitlements and shared parental leave.
• Generous pension scheme pension scheme in line with the public sector
• All Police Staff and Police Officers are equipped with personal issue laptops and mobiles
• Professional development, secondment opportunities and career apprenticeships for all employees – continuous learning is key
• Support and advice from our in-house Occupational Health Unit and Health Assured employee assistance programme
• Active staff support networks, peer support groups and peer supporters. Staff Support Networks include Wiltshire Ethnic Police Association, Connect women’s network, LGBTQ+, Christian Police Association and Wiltshire Disability Police Association. Support groups include: menopause, cancer, neurodiversity, parenting, fitness test and chaplains.
• We help you keep you active– onsite gyms at Swindon, Devizes, Melksham and Trowbridge and discounted gym membership with Wiltshire Council run leisure centres. Sports clubs and cycle to work scheme. 
• Generous discounts online and in store with the Blue Light card Welcome to Blue Light Card –the UK’s largest discount service for the emergency services, NHS and armed forces
• Free car parking at most sites and use of pool cars for business purposes
• We have quiet spaces across our estate for reflection and prayer
• We celebrate diversity. We were the first police force in the country to achieve Disability Confident Leader status

How do I contact Wiltshire Police about my application?

All you need to know about the recruitment process is on our website. If you still have questions, please use the Talent Acquisition Team. We aim to respond within 48 hours.

I will be 18 on the date the Assessment is scheduled. Can I still apply to join Wiltshire Police?

You may apply when you are 17 provided you will be 18 by the time you are expected to start training

I have previously applied and failed. Can I apply again?

Yes, but you will need to wait 6 months before you are eligible to retake the behaviour-based assessment

Can I transfer from the Armed Forces?

Individuals currently serving in the Armed Services should contact us via your assigned Job Coach.  We can offer you support through the Armed Forces Covenant.

I have a holiday booked in the coming months. Will this be an issue?

Leave will not be granted during the initial training and tutorship phase unless in extenuating circumstances. Please consider this if you are thinking of booking a holiday.

I am not a British Citizen. Can I still apply?

You need to be a British citizen or a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK and free from restrictions.

Do I need a driving licence?

You don't have to have a licence to apply to become a PCSO, but you will need a full UK manual driving licence (not a provisional licence) before you start training. 

I have a motoring offence(s). Can I still apply?

Wiltshire Police will need to assess the motoring offence. However, if you have more than six penalty points on your driving licence, you will not be eligible to apply to join Wiltshire Police student officer.

Can I apply if I have financial issues or previous cautions or convictions?

Any financial issues / problems must be declared and will be judged on an individual basis. You must declare all previous cautions, convictions or any involvement with the police.  The circumstances of the offence will be considered carefully.

I have convictions from a long time ago. Will this stop me from applying?

Not necessarily. We will look at applicant circumstances on an individual basis. We understand that how we may have acted in the past is not always a reflection on our character years later.   If you are unsure of your eligibility to apply, please contact our recruitment team to discuss in the first instance. 

Do I have to notify changes to my personal circumstances?

Any significant changes in personal circumstances during your application, such as permanent partner, new residents at your home, change of address, arrests, cautions or convictions or association with criminals should be notified to People Services.

If I have already been vetted for another role, do I have to do this again?

Yes, you will indeed need to be vetted again as you will now be vetted for the role of PCSO whereas your current vetting is only valid for the role you are currently doing.

If vetting clearance is refused can I appeal?

If vetting clearance is refused, you will be advised, although specific reasons will not normally be given to protect the confidentiality of others and the security of Wiltshire Police. However, you can request a review, which is carried out by a person independent of the vetting decision marker.

What are the Biometrics used for?

This will be used to eliminate you from any crime scenes when you are appointed as an officer.

I have a medical condition.  Does that stop me joining Wiltshire Police?

It will depend upon the nature of the medical condition.  If you require reasonable adjustments, you will need to provide a full physiological report for the College of Policing to grant reasonable adjustments. This report would normally be from a medical specialist, such as a medical doctor or psychologist with expertise in the area of the impairment.   School reports are not accepted. Please read the College of Policing's guidance on reasonable adjustments. All new officers will also undergo a medical assessment with our Occupational Health Unit which you will need to pass to be eligible to join Wiltshire Police.  

Can I become a PCSO if I wear glasses or contact lenses?

Click here for our vision standards. 

I'm colour blind.  Can I become a PCSO?

Yes, people with colour blindness can apply to become a PCSO; however, there is a standard you have to reach as part of the medical assessment if you are colour blind. You are restricted from certain roles, such as roads policing or firearms. If your colour blindness is monochrome, you are not eligible to apply.

I have a disability. Can I apply to become a PCSO?

Yes. We welcome applications from people with disabilities as defined by the Equality Act 2010. If you consider yourself to have a disability, please inform us of the type of reasonable adjustments you might need to assist you in participating in the recruitment and selection process. We will try to make the reasonable adjustments required where practicable.

I have epilepsy. Can I still apply?

Yes. We will look at each case on its merits and take guidance from our Occupational Health Unit.

I have diabetes. Can I still apply?

Yes, providing your diabetes is under control. Your doctor will need to supply a medical report for clarification.

I am dyslexic. Can I still apply?

Yes.  However, to allow reasonable adjustments to be made, such as extra time for your academic studies, you will need to provide us with a full comprehensive professional dyslexia report.

I have a BMI greater than 30. Can I still apply?

Candidates who are successful following the assessment centre and final interview, and have a BMI of 30 or above will be contacted by Occupational Health and asked to provide evidence of their body fat composition; if this does not exceed 25% for male candidates and 35% for female candidates they will be permitted to progress to the medical stage. Those with a body fat percentage of >25% will be deferred until they reach the required level.

Is there a height restriction?

No. There is no minimum or maximum height restriction.

I failed the fitness test. Can I still become a PCSO?

No. For you to progress to the next stage, you must pass all parts of the fitness test. If you do not pass the test at your first attempt, you will be allowed to retake it after a period of training. If you fail to pass the test after two attempts, your application will fail and you will not be eligible to reapply for six months.

Where will I be posted?

The Chief Constable reserves the right to post you anywhere in the Wiltshire Police area. Your posting will be decided according to the operational need in each area at the time of your appointment. You will be posted to a hub after initial training and you will be able to ask for three preferential hubs.  They will be taken into account when posting, but ultimately it will be decided on operational needs.

What hours will I work?

Police staff work a 37-hour week. A shift pattern may consist of early shifts, late shifts and night shifts, bank holidays and weekend working.  Operational demands may require your assigned shift / rest day to be cancelled and re-scheduled at short notice.  There are opportunities to volunteer for overtime, particularly when there are major events taking place. On occasion there could be circumstances where you will be asked to work out of county, but you will be given advance notice.