What Age Do you think the role of a pcso should be open to?
Moderator: national-PCSOs
What Age Do you think the role of a pcso should be open to?
Just wondering guys your views on what age the role of a pcso should be open to... CHEERS DAZ
Just to add a little bit to my orginal posting, the reason ive sent this posting out is because ive noticed some very young PCSOS, especially in the BTP Ranks, such as Waterloo and London Bridge Stations. At this time when terrorism is amongst us, I fear when I see these PCSOS, I just think "what are they going to do"...
I think its less of an issue of age, more about maturity and responsibility. Some people reach that alot earlier than others. I think if an 18 year old can demonstrate the necessary attributes during the recruitment process than thats fine, sign them up. Not all people that age can. I know people over the age of 30 who are no way near mature enough to do the job.
I joined when I was 20, and I know there are people out there who think thats too young, but I don't care because I made sure I could back it up by being bloody good at my job.
I know some forces allow 16yr olds to join up, and at the risk of sounding hypocritical, I personally think thats too young. Reason being that a fair chunk of the work PCSO's do involves alcohol, and officers who arn't old enough to drink themselves will be up for alot of stick if they ever try and confiscate it.
I joined when I was 20, and I know there are people out there who think thats too young, but I don't care because I made sure I could back it up by being bloody good at my job.
I know some forces allow 16yr olds to join up, and at the risk of sounding hypocritical, I personally think thats too young. Reason being that a fair chunk of the work PCSO's do involves alcohol, and officers who arn't old enough to drink themselves will be up for alot of stick if they ever try and confiscate it.
- THEdarkKNIGHT
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I think it should be 18, however I know what you are saying as I work with a 21 year old lad and he makes me cringe!
I think it comes down to personality, I also know an 18 year old who is mature and good at the job.
I think it comes down to personality, I also know an 18 year old who is mature and good at the job.
"Its a mother beautiful bridge and its going to be there"
Save the cheer leader, save the world.....
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
George Orwell
Save the cheer leader, save the world.....
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
George Orwell
How can they take alcohol off under 18's if they are under 18???THEdarkKNIGHT wrote:yep wmp employe 16 yrs olds but the youngest we have at the mo it 17 .
"Its a mother beautiful bridge and its going to be there"
Save the cheer leader, save the world.....
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
George Orwell
Save the cheer leader, save the world.....
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
George Orwell
- THEdarkKNIGHT
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18 and over.
Why should the young be subject to practices that would be discriminatory if directed to an older person?
I remember shearing an adage 'its not how old you are, its what you know'.
And this 'life experience' talk is generally a lot of rubbish at times. Many 18-25 year olds may have worked for nearly 10 years, in fields such asmental health/care, labouring or gone through uni, served in the military, cared for families, volunteered for charities, have families themselves whilst a 40 year old may have been in the same job for 24 years, lived in the same home, etc.
Let's not forget that being a PCSO is a great way of providing life experience too.
We need a vibrant mix of ages and skills.
Why should the young be subject to practices that would be discriminatory if directed to an older person?
I remember shearing an adage 'its not how old you are, its what you know'.
And this 'life experience' talk is generally a lot of rubbish at times. Many 18-25 year olds may have worked for nearly 10 years, in fields such asmental health/care, labouring or gone through uni, served in the military, cared for families, volunteered for charities, have families themselves whilst a 40 year old may have been in the same job for 24 years, lived in the same home, etc.
Let's not forget that being a PCSO is a great way of providing life experience too.
We need a vibrant mix of ages and skills.
- TheRunningMan2006
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I think if the age at the moment was 21, people would then believe that was too young.
Thankfully it isn't, I was a PCSO at 18 and a PC at 19. I was dam good at my job as a PCSO too, I could reach kids in our community no one else could, enabling me to gather much more intel.
Judge a person by who they are, not their age.
Thankfully it isn't, I was a PCSO at 18 and a PC at 19. I was dam good at my job as a PCSO too, I could reach kids in our community no one else could, enabling me to gather much more intel.
Judge a person by who they are, not their age.
My Website:
http://www.running4beginners.co.uk
http://www.running4beginners.co.uk
runningman, i completely agree. i can reach kids in my community that other pcsos have real difficulty doing. i work with some pcsos in their 40s who see all kids as troublemakers, and stop check the same group 2 or 3 times in a day. all the kids and teenagers have a bit crack with me, and know they can approach me and tell me anything because they can trust me. some of them think im their friends more than anything, being on first name terms, and when they tell me who is supplying them alcohol and their odd packet of grass, they think it wont go any further.
im only 20. i am the youngest in my area command, and there is around 50 of us. most are around 30, and i know alot who are absolutely terrible at the job. its got nothing to do with age, its all about life experience as said before. if you cnt demonstrate that in the interview stages, then you wont get the job!

im only 20. i am the youngest in my area command, and there is around 50 of us. most are around 30, and i know alot who are absolutely terrible at the job. its got nothing to do with age, its all about life experience as said before. if you cnt demonstrate that in the interview stages, then you wont get the job!
Constable of 6 years, previously PCSO 18 months
Min Age Of PCSO'S


- Hysteria
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21 and over that goes for police officers as well I'm sorry but I could not and would not take a 16/17 year old pcso seriously
for a police officer or pcso role you need a bit of life experience under ya belt if you are going to deal with different sections of the community ..
They can be taught most things in a classroom not life experience
for a police officer or pcso role you need a bit of life experience under ya belt if you are going to deal with different sections of the community ..
They can be taught most things in a classroom not life experience
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