CHANGE
CAN REBUILD
TRUST
CHANGE NEEDS YOU
Becoming a Police Community Support Officer
with the Met
Our Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) build relationships with local communities, help reduce crime, support vulnerable
individuals and keep people safe.
Neighbourhood policing is a priority for London. We know we need to build more trust – and to do that we need people like you to join us.
There’s no better way to make a daily difference to the lives of those who call London home.
What it’s like day to day
As a police community support officer, you’ll be supporting Londoners in the heart of their communities.
You’ll help tackle the things that matter most to them. There are two types of team you could join.
Our Safer Neighbourhood teams offer a visible police presence and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour at local levels.
Our Transport teams focus on keeping London’s roads, bus network and transport hubs moving and operating safely.
Who we look for
Would you make a good PCSO? One way to decide is to read our values and see if they sound like you.
These values define how we will behave and serve:
Integrity
I will always try to do the right thing. I will be fair and consistent in everything I do, being mindful of the impact of my actions. I will actively challenge those whose behaviour falls below public and the Met’s expectations.
Courage
I will show courage by making tough decisions when needed. I will always challenge racist, homophobic, misogynistic and any other discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. I will show humility.
Accountable
I will strive to build trust with the public, colleagues, and partners, by being open, honest and taking ownership for what I have done and why. I will admit when I make mistakes, learn from them and improve.
Respect
I will respect the rights of everyone I meet. I will listen to individual perspectives and needs. I will try my best to understand a diverse range of views and achieve the best possible outcomes for the public.
Empathy
I will care about communities and colleagues and try to understand their perspectives and experiences, at all times. I will be kind and listen and understand without judgement. I will take time to clarify and explain my decisions.
CHANGE
BUILDS
BRIDGES
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Other qualifications
- You don’t need formal educational requirements to become a PCSO, but you do need a reasonable standard of English. We accept GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) in English. If you don’t have this, a written test will be available.
- Some roles in our Road Traffic policing Command will need a full driving license.
- You must be between over 18 to join us (but you can apply when you are 17)
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Your health and fitness
Policing isn’t easy, and although you don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to join you do need to be relatively fit and healthy to cope with the demands of the job.
- You will need to pass a fitness test. Start preparing now by watching our YouTube video for tips and download the Met’s six-week training programme. Or find out more on the College of Policing website.
- Some medical conditions can prevent you from being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job. Find out which here: HM government medical standards
- You must meet the police eyesight standards. Your eyesight is tested as part of your medical, which takes place during the application process.
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Other things to be aware of
- You must have lived continuously in the UK for the last three years (unless you have been serving abroad in the British Armed Forces or on UK government service).
- If you’re not from the UK, you must have indefinite leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK. Due to changes in legislation, members of the European Economic Area (EAA) are now required to have ILR or EU settled status.
- If you have tattoos you’ll need to tell us about it when you apply. We have a tattoo policy that you’ll need to meet. You can’t join with tattoos that are on your face, or the sides and front of your neck above the collar line. We must also be confident that your tattoos aren’t offensive, violent, discriminatory, political or rude. See the full tattoo policy below
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Vetting
Working for the Met means holding a position of trust. Vetting checks are an important way to maintain our high standards and reassure Londoners that appropriate checks are done.
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Cautions or criminal convictions
Having a previous caution or conviction doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from applying, but please be as open and honest as possible. If you hide anything from us or are dishonest in your application, you will be rejected.
Any information we gather in the vetting process is confidential and kept separate from your other recruitment data. We try to be as open and fair as possible during this process.
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Reasons you can’t join
- If you have unpaid debts or liabilities, an outstanding county court judgement, or you can’t manage loans or debts sensibly.
- If you are or have been a member of organisations like the British National Party (BNP), Combat 18 or the National Front. This isn’t a full list.
Applying process to become a
Police Community Support Officer
The entire process of becoming a PCSO can take a little while. It’s an important job and we can’t rush the process. But if you’re successful you’ll be beginning a career that could change your life – and the lives of Londoners everywhere.
At each stage of your application you’ll be contacted by our recruitment team. They’ll give you information and support, to help you be your best.
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Step 1: Online registration form and application
First you’ll need to complete and submit an online registration form and application form, to make sure you pass our basic eligibility criteria.
When we get your application we will conduct a basic security check. This takes around seven days.
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Step 2: Assessment day
If your initial application is successful, we’ll invite you to an assessment day. This will feature an interview and a briefing exercise. If you don’t have a GCSE English Language grade C (4) or above, or equivalent (level 2 qualification), we’ll also ask you to complete a written exercise.
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Step 3: Pre-employment event
Your assessment will be scored on the day, and if successful, you’ll be asked to attend a pre-employment event. This includes your fitness test and a medical assessment.
You can get ready for this stage in advance. Watch our YouTube video for tips and download our six week training programme.
You can expect your results within four to eight weeks, depending on personal circumstances.
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Step 4: Pre-employment checks and vetting
These checks are there to make sure we are recruiting people who meet our standards of behaviour and share our values. The length of time this takes can vary. On average, it takes about two months for these checks to be completed.
You can find out more on the vetting process here.
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Step 5: Offer of employment
If you’re successful we’ll make you a formal offer of employment and discuss the best date for you to join.
Our careers are open to members of every community. Take your place with us and be part of the change.