PCSOs to get new uniforms
THE uniforms of police community support officers in Devon and Cornwall are to be modified – to end being confused with police officers, writes WMN chief reporter Andy Greenwood.
The civilian role caused major controversy when it was introduced by former Home Secretary David Blunkett in 2002 with critics labelling them "plastic policemen" and their appointment as "policing on the cheap".
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South Brent PCSO Vicky Gummow is instructed by Sgt Steve Hopper on how to use a traffic speed gun
Many believed the uniforms issued to the PCSOs were deliberately close to those of front-line officers to fool the public into thinking there were more police on the streets.
After pressure from the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, Devon and Cornwall Police has now agreed to modify PCSO uniforms, in line with national guidance.
Sergeant Steve Tovagliari, chairman of the federation in Devon and Cornwall, welcomed the change.
He said: "My view is that community support officers should not act or look like police officers. I think some police forces let that happen to give the public a perception that there are more police officers than is the fact.
"I am not against community support officers or the job they are doing – they fit well into a niche – but they are not police officers."
PCSOs will now be issued with plain blue hat bands instead of the chequered ones currently worn, which are the same as police officers. Instead of the Crown badge sported by police officers – Crown servants who swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen – PCSO hats will simply say "Community Support Officer".
They will also wear plain blue shirt epaulettes, on the sleeve rather than the shoulder, and a plain blue tie.
It follows recommendations backed by the National Policing Improvement Agency, the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers that PCSOs should have uniforms markedly different from those of sworn officers.
ACPO guidance to forces states that PCSO uniforms "must be distinct from that of a police officer".
A survey by Sgt Tovagliari also found that in 24 out of the 43 forces nationwide, police officers believed the issue was being deliberately ignored. He said: "What is happening in these areas is the recommendation is not being implemented."
Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton said the changes would be implemented in the New Year. He admitted there had been public confusion over the two uniforms.
"Community support officers were brought in to do a specific job," said Mr Netherton. "It was not to be police officers or carry our serious investigations, it was to be a visible uniform presence on the streets, to listen to local communities to help solve problems in that area.
"We don't want them to be mistaken for police officers, because they are not, but they are doing a really valuable and important job in our communities."
18 Comments
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by Neill, Devon
Saturday, January 30 2010, 2:49AM
“Just what are DCC playing at.
They have deliberately made civilian staff look like police.
How can people respect the real police when they are being
mislead.Shows what the Chief
Constable thinks of the people
of Devon &Cornwall.”
by Neill, Sidmouth Devon
Sunday, January 10 2010, 9:43PM
“Get these amateurs off our streets. In my area they go round chewing gum
and often not wearing the correct uniform ie hi visibility
jackets without community
support written on the back.
Do they care,do they heck!
The more they fool people the more they like it.
They think nothing of wilfuly
obstructing people in the
street and acting in an intimidating manner if they think you might look like someone that they
are looking for. Even though
the person was just walking
along the pavement minding
their own business and was
completely innocent. Then being told six inches or so from their face that (if its you we will be paying YOU a visit ! )
Welcome to Sidmouth!
So hopefully these uniform
changes will make them easier
to spot for the amateurs that
they are.”
by Big foot, St Austell
Thursday, November 12 2009, 6:44PM
“Thank you to Gary for his support.
I have never had a member of public confuse me with a PC. They know what i can do and as i tell them if i cannot do it i know a person who can! The public are only too pleased to have somebody listen to their problems. No matter what uniform i wear it is still not going to please everyone.”
by Gary, Somerset
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:28PM
“The publics concern and confusion with PCSO uniforms and their nationally varied powers is of no surprise. Is it that people want to recognise a PCSO when they hurl abuse at them? When being a victim of crime one would immediatley report a crime to a PCSO if you saw one, so what does it matter how the uniform looks? You will rarely see a PC manning the front desk of your local station but a civilian. What the home office should be doing is bringing all PCSO powers up to the national standard as promised over a year ago. Most of the Police officers these days have not got a clue what foot patrol is and use our PCSO's to do the leg work while they gossip behind the rediculous amounts of administrative work that usually amounts to a waste of time when the CPS bounce it all back again with no result. The PSCO's are being trained to a higher standard these days and accompanied with their 'on the street' experiences I would question who is the more competent? PCSO's are here to stay, be that the governments fault or not, it is something we all have to get used to, perhaps we are heading in the same direction as france and other european nations where we may have more than one type of Police to combat our ever progressing crime. Lets not put the blame on the PCSO's who are only trying to do the job of a PC whom of which can rarley be seen whilst additionally trying to do the job with their arms tied behind their backs.”
by PCSO, Cornwall
Monday, November 09 2009, 8:10PM
“Well well well. Wouldn't it be nice if we got told when our uniforms were going to be changed rather than reading it on a website? Thanks bosses.”
by Confused dot Com, Perplexed State
Monday, November 09 2009, 5:59PM
“It seems contradictory that Reliance are looking like police while doing their scenes of crime guarding while PCSOs are having their uniforms changed so they look less like police?”
by Stan Still, UK
Monday, November 09 2009, 10:20AM
“It really is time these 'platic cops' were got rid of, and replaced by REAL Police Officers. PCSO's have no powers worth talking about, they always go around in pairs as they are not capable of dealing with anything on their own. Many will leave now because they want to look like real police, some even resort to covering up or disfiguring the word community on their jackets, so people think they are real police. PCSO's are a complete waste of space, introduced by a waste of space, David 'train tickets' Blunkett, the worst \Home Sec ever.”
by Anon, Devon
Sunday, November 08 2009, 7:06AM
“Taurus, you are the one out of touch!
I am a retired REGULAR officer & count many retired 'specials as friends. At the time of my service the uniforms were distinctly different however, now they are the same!
Tim is spot on re. training but not only that, they should be used only to assist the regulars not replace them which is happening today!!”
by Taurus, Redruth, Cornwall
Saturday, November 07 2009, 9:14PM
“I cannot but disagree with Tim more. I wonder what voluntary job he does, and in doing so put his life on the line? He's certainly out of touch regarding specials training. I was a special (voluntary) for many years. I am too old now to be one, but I still do a few hours per week voluntary work for and with the police aged 78. Beat that one Tim.”
by alan, plymouth devon uk
Saturday, November 07 2009, 7:37PM
“Sacked 2002 Home Secretary Blunkett is a proven liar and adulterer...he stinks as bad as steen mp totnes..I expect moderator to remove this comment ..”