The roles and responsibilities of:

• Police Constables
• Special Constables
• Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)

What does a police officer do?

I as a Police Officer have a range of powers ranging from issuing speeding tickets to powers of stop and search and entering premises with or without a warrant. The variety of roles and powers of police officers is diverse. I work on the neighbourhood team and police a very close knit community. On a daily basis I will deal with a number of issues that have been raised by residents as their priorities. For example issues of anti social behaviour, youths causing a nuisance to local residents and also dispersing youths if the area has a Dispersal Order.

Every day is a different experience and it is near impossible to predict what the next day on duty will hold. Being part of the neighbourhood team means that we are able to provide the local service linked directly to communities, dealing with criminality and ASB problems as well as local priorities. Although we have more flexibility to be responsive, we still remain a core part of uniformed police delivery.

As a police officer I have a number of powers, some of which are set out by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984 (PACE) including powers relating to custody and stop and search.

Below are some of the many powers that I have as a police officer:

• To search a person or a vehicle without first making an arrest. It also deals with the need for a police officer to make a record of a stop or encounter
• To search premises and to seize and retain property found on premises and persons
• Detention, treatment and questioning of suspects not related to terrorism in police custody by police officers
• Power to arrest a criminal/suspected criminal and take them into custody with or without a warrant
• To stop a driver in a vehicle and request to see documents such as driving license, insurance certificate, and vehicle registration document
• Request the name and address of a person which is believed to have committed a relevant offence
• To issue a fixed penalty notice (FPN)
• To issue a vehicle rectification notice
• To request a ‘breathalyser’ (ask you for a breath test) if I suspect you’ve been drinking if, for example, your driving seems erratic
  

What does a Special Constable do?

I as a Special Constables wear the same uniform as police officers and have the same powers as above. However I work on a voluntary basis and am required to work a minimum of four hours a week. I have the same training, uniform, equipment and support as a police officer.

Colleagues of mine who are Special Constables come from all walks of life but volunteer their time to help the community and support police officers. I am part of Walsall Local Policing Unit and work with a Neighbourhood policing team alongside police officers and police community support officers.

My principal role is carrying out high visibility patrols to reassure the community, helping to deal with anti-social behaviour and participating in crime reduction initiatives targeted at local problems. This is a rewarding role which enables me to experience real life situations. No two shifts are ever the same. I can expect to carry out a range of duties to suit my experience and skills.

These may include:-

• Conducting neighbourhood reassurance patrols (by foot bike or sometimes by car)
  
• Attending the scene of incidents
  
• Providing crime prevention advice
  
• Undertaking road safety initiatives
  
• House to house inquiries
  
• Presenting evidence in court
  
• Helping safeguard public safety and security at local and major events
  
• 'Hotspot' operations to tackle underage drinking, criminal damage and nuisance/public order
  

What does a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) do?

I as a police community support officer have a different uniform, role, and powers to that of police officers and special constables. I support the delivery of trust and confidence to local communities and provide a highly visible uniformed presence either on foot or on cycle.

I can undertake non confrontational problem solving duties including tackling anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood priorities, working alongside community partners. As a PCSO I make a significant contribution to public engagement and influence in the local area, recognising the diverse needs of the community. It is an important part of my role to understand the needs of the community and respond to them.

I work with local schools in my area, places of worship, community centres, youth centres and other partner agencies in order to provide high visibility presence and address local priorities. I am involved in a number of projects such as reducing anti-social behaviour.

I also attend police surgeries, neighbourhood watch, street walks and other initiatives by partner agencies. I support victims of anti-social behaviour especially those that are vulnerable and repeat victims. Working alongside police officers, police staff and special constables is a crucial and vital part of my role.

As a PCSO I have a number of powers including the power to:

• Request the name and address of a person which is believed to have committed a relevant offence
  
• Request the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner
  
• Issue fixed penalty notices for a variety of offences such as littering, cycling on a footpath
  
• Request a person to stop drinking in a designated public area and to surrender containers of alcohol and to dispose of alcohol surrendered
  
• Confiscate alcohol from young people and dispose of alcohol surrendered
  
• Confiscate cigarettes and tobacco from young people and dispose of cigarettes and tobacco surrendered
  
• Enter a premises to save life or limb or prevent serious damage to property
  
• Stop vehicles for purpose of a road check
  
• Seize drugs and require name and address for possession of drugs
  
• Photograph people away from a police station
  
• Require removal of abandoned vehicles
  
• Seize vehicles used to cause alarm and distress
  
• Stop pedal cycles
  
• Issue fixed penalty notices for cycling on a footpath
  
• Require name and address for road traffic offences