Hudson wrote:I work in a large force and we have pcso's (single crewed) in the town centres, at weekends all the time, yes they get abuse (verbal) but if that is their beat then that's where they go. The role we have is a no win, the public (those who know what we can do and have a criminal record) often take zero notice of what is said or asked of them, calling up a pc for assistance if they won't give you details just gets you a raised eyebrow for waisting their time when they have other tasks to perform..... no win.
I feel you buddy. I used to get this a lot. Any other PCSO said they never did was either lying or simply walked past everything and ignored anything the saw or were told. What used to annoy the hell out of me is when the person stopped was a total scumbag and behaving like one and the PC would attend and they'd be so polite and then give details. The PC would look at you like you're an idiot and can't handle people, not knowing (or wanting to acknowledge at least) that people act so much better towards PCs usually. One lad in our office was told 'You just don't know how to talk to people' once by a PC because a social worker was putting in a complaint about him. He had an issue with them ignoring a guy who was a real risk to the public but they didn't want to do anything. Once the bobby got involved they actually did something, but the PCSO was the most honest, tolerant and nice guy you've ever met. So for him to be told he had crap people skills was just a joke.
The PCSO role could have survived if they had given us the actual powers and remit to do our job and get on with it. We should have been the replacement for the bobby on the beat. A bobby is only taken off the streets and stuck in an office for weeks on end if the CHOSE to be. A bobby can also choose not to arrest for months or years on end (I've met a few sad cases who this applies to and verified on NICHE / CMS).
Look at how people relate to BTP PCSOs. A whole lot better because they see the kit. No, that doesn't mean they'll be locking up every day, but goes a long way when dealing with people.
Here's my idea: Consult with trading standards, local travel companies, local authority, dog wardens, etc. Get them all to chip in to combine the PCSO role into the same and what used to be a dog warden, trading standards, noise abatement, etc. officer. Multi-funded to tackle ALL quality of life issues. Designate them as each title to give them the investigatory / powers.
My other idea is to make a local security company with black police type uniforms (close but not the offence of dressing or impersonating), give them handcuffs, DNA marker spray (that's all legally unfortunately), limb restraints and a marked vehicle with a cage in the back. Maybe dog units too. Witness or reasonable grounds to suspect a citizen's arrestable or BoP offence (if it continues or is likely to continue), call the Po or take them directly to custody themselves. Do their own MG11s, collect CCTV, maybe even completed by the time the bobby gets there. A lot of the job done. You know this is coming! And yes, it'll be G4S. The whole "It works in America" idea.
