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The stance of the Metropolitan Inspectors Branch Board (IBB) with regard Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). Intially we were against the concept of PCSOs and saw it as dilution of the unique position afforded to the office of constable. However, during the numerous discussions within the Branch Board on this subject, we have come to realise that they are a useful resource without whom many of our members would be unable to fulfil their own objectives.
To reflect this feeling we concur with the policy of the Met Police Federation’s Joint Executive Committee, which is to support the use of PCSOs in a limited role. That being as was originally conceived “the eyes and ears of the police service” used on security and community reassurance patrols, Parks and Transport for London thereby releasing fully attested officers from traditional roles that do not require police powers.
However, we are conscious of what we believe is a deliberate attempt by government to blur this clear distinction between sworn Police Officers and the civilian Community Support Officer. Recent examples that have come to our notice in the Metropolis include the use of PCSOs in the interviewing of prisoners, driving liveried police vehicles and carrying handcuffs when their original role was never envisaged to need or use such restraint equipment.
Despite what the official line of the Metropolitan Police may say about the public support for PCSOs over police officers we are yet to be convinced that - That sufficient validated research has been conducted to properly establish this hypothesis, and
- That the public prefer PCSOs to Police Officers.
What we can say is that when the Met Police Federation carried out a straw poll on their web site after advertisements had been placed in two local newspapers, the response was overwhelmingly in favour of Police Officers. (www.metfed.org.uk) Until we see evidence to the contrary our stance will remain that the public of London are better served, operationally and financially, by sworn Police Officers.
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