Understanding PCSO powers

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) play a vital role in modern policing. They often serve as the primary point of contact for communities to report concerns and share information. In this free course, you’ll explore the powers that PCSOs in England and Wales use in their daily duties, their role in supporting response policing, and the fair and unbiased exercise of their powers and procedures. This course is a preview of BXY138 Professional PCSO practice (work-based learning), part of the PCSO apprenticeship programme offered jointly by The Open University and North Yorkshire Police. Upon completion, you’ll be able to identify relevant legislation, understand power assignment, and recognise situations where PCSOs can exercise their authority, enhancing your understanding of this vital role in community safety.

• 1 The role of the PCSO
• 2 Introduction to powers applicable to PCSOs
• 2.1 Powers that cannot be granted to PCSOs
• 2.2 The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
• 3 PCSO powers – to search and seize
• 3.2 Defining a PCSO search and seizure
• 3.3 Core knowledge required to undertake a search and seizure
• 4 PCSO powers – traffic-related matters
• 4.1 Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002
• 4.2 Vehicles illegally parked and causing an obstruction
• 5 PCSO powers – alcohol offences
• 5.1 Confiscation of alcohol from young people
• 5.2 Other alcohol offences – drunk and disorderly, and being found drunk