Community Support Officers in the UK Call for New Uniforms

Wednesday 24th of October 2007 07:47:13 PM

There are about 16,000 community support officers (PCSOs) that patrol the streets in the UK and Wales whose goal is to deter crimes before they happen. Even though community support officers do not have to undergo the training needed to become a full fledged police officer, they do wear uniforms and do aid police during crime scene investigations.

Because PCSOs are employed through various agencies, many wear different uniforms. Some of the companies which employ these officers want to create a standard uniform that all PCSOs will wear while on duty as a way to increase respect for the job and to help protect them from dangerous criminals.

"What we are calling for is not the same uniform as police officers have, as that would quite clearly be wrong. We are calling for a uniform which is fitting to the role, which carries the authority of the force, which enables those PCSOs to go out on the street in a uniform which makes them feel part of the police family," said Ben Priestly, a representative from Unison, one of the security companies asking for these changes.

But not everyone thinks this is a good idea. Those from the Police Federation of England and Wales do not think creating a standard uniform for PCSOs will earn them more respect and could end up confusing the public.

"They're not police officers, so they should be distinct and they should be different - otherwise there are expectations placed on the PCSOs, that maybe they don't have the powers, the equipment or the experience to deal with. And, likewise, there's confusion for the public, who are expecting the PCSOs to do something," said Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

The Home Office is leaving the decision up to police forces and will not take a position on the matter.

(c)Korosy Istvan, www.sxc.hu