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PCSOs to answer 'low-level' 999 calls
Oxfordshire's Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are to be allowed to be dispatched to deal with low-level emergencies, previously dealt with by regular policemen.
The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has pledged to monitor the changes to ensure PCSOs are not sent to violent or confrontational emergencies.
Thames Valley's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Gargan said changes to the call dispatch system would not see PCSOs answering emergencies which needed a police officer.
Instead, they would be dispatched to low-level antisocial behaviour where violence was not predicted, he said.
Mr Gargan added: "We believe it is absolutely vital to maintain the distinction between PCSOs and police officers.
"Our old policy was not the best because it stopped PCSOs going to sort out local problems such as antisocial behaviour.
"We don't want to put them in harm's way or to deal with incidents which require a police officer.
"A PCSO will not be sent to an urgent call of a violent incident, burglary or fight, but they will be sent to urgent antisocial behaviour."
Control centre staff can now send PCSOs to deal with incidents following a risk assessment for potential violence, which will be checked by the duty sergeant.
The change in policy frees up regular police officers to deal with more dangerous or emergency incidents, Mr Gargan said.
Thames Valley Police Federation chairman Maurice Collins said: "PCSOs are clearly not police officers.
"They are not trained or equipped like police officers.
"But the reality is we have them on the streets and it's important they are used effectively."
6:17am Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: A Resident, Oxford on 7:17am Fri 2 May 08
Advice to the public - dont bother calling 999 anymore if this is going to be the response. Deal with it yourself, by the time these idiots arrive on their bikes it will be too late anyway.
Advice to the public - dont bother calling 999 anymore if this is going to be the response. Deal with it yourself, by the time these idiots arrive on their bikes it will be too late anyway.
Posted by: Joe, Marston Road on 7:33am Fri 2 May 08
Another chip of authority taken which will lead to no Police response at all! Keep on filling in the paperwork!
[bold]No change there then![/bold]
This is not the way forward.
Another chip of authority taken which will lead to no Police response at all! Keep on filling in the paperwork!
No change there then!
This is not the way forward.
Posted by: Peter, Oxford on 8:51am Fri 2 May 08
[quote]they will be sent to urgent antisocial behaviour[/quote]
When have Thames Valley Police ever treated any anti-social behaviour as urgent - NEVER thats when so dont believe for one minute they are going to start now.
they will be sent to urgent antisocial behaviour
When have Thames Valley Police ever treated any anti-social behaviour as urgent - NEVER thats when so dont believe for one minute they are going to start now.
Posted by: K, Oxford on 9:29am Fri 2 May 08
I suppose a PCSO arriving in good time might be better then TVP's usual response of sending police around three hours after you've reported the incident... if you're lucky.
I suppose a PCSO arriving in good time might be better then TVP's usual response of sending police around three hours after you've reported the incident... if you're lucky.
Posted by: Fed uo with paying for services we don't get, Oxford on 9:56am Fri 2 May 08
Will this result in a reduction in council taxes etc for not getting a full service? ... I very much doubt it!
Will this result in a reduction in council taxes etc for not getting a full service? ... I very much doubt it!
Posted by: Paul, Oxford on 1:58pm Fri 2 May 08
I've supported the police in all my postings here, but I have to ask, what happened to the PCSO patrols? If you read the job description on the PCSO recruitment page it does say you need to be fit enough to walk a beat... Yet I have only seen a PCSO on vary rare occasions... Is this all a con? Are we just getting cheaper bobbies so the regular police force can push paper around?
I've supported the police in all my postings here, but I have to ask, what happened to the PCSO patrols? If you read the job description on the PCSO recruitment page it does say you need to be fit enough to walk a beat... Yet I have only seen a PCSO on vary rare occasions... Is this all a con? Are we just getting cheaper bobbies so the regular police force can push paper around?
Posted by: Constable Hammer, On Patrol on 3:05pm Fri 2 May 08
This is not a worrying as you may think. A large proportion of 999 calls are not emergencies and should have been made on non-emergency numbers.
The police call operators ususally screen calls anyway and will direct Police accordingly.
Having said that, sending PCSOs to any incident that may result in arrest is a bit pointless as they don't have that power (other than [quote]citizens[/quote] arrest, like everyone else). There are many things that Police are called to that do not require Police powers to deal with, taking statements about stolen bikes, for instance, or other witness statements to minor incidents. At the moment this takes up a massive amount of response officers' time and there is no reason why PCSOs couldn't do more of this.
This is not a worrying as you may think. A large proportion of 999 calls are not emergencies and should have been made on non-emergency numbers.
The police call operators ususally screen calls anyway and will direct Police accordingly.
Having said that, sending PCSOs to any incident that may result in arrest is a bit pointless as they don't have that power (other than
citizens
arrest, like everyone else). There are many things that Police are called to that do not require Police powers to deal with, taking statements about stolen bikes, for instance, or other witness statements to minor incidents. At the moment this takes up a massive amount of response officers' time and there is no reason why PCSOs couldn't do more of this.
Posted by: Rachel on 3:52pm Fri 2 May 08
More Police Officers is what we need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!
More Police Officers is what we need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dave, Oxford on 4:08pm Fri 2 May 08
Seems a sensible approach. The public are often negative with regard to policing issues. Its a difficult job at the best of times. This initiative should release Police Officers to attend more important crimes. Give it a chance before all the negativity
Seems a sensible approach. The public are often negative with regard to policing issues. Its a difficult job at the best of times. This initiative should release Police Officers to attend more important crimes. Give it a chance before all the negativity
Posted by: Y. Elbow, Oxford on 4:31pm Fri 2 May 08
Perhaps we should have a sliding scale of desperation numbers like.
991,992,993 - 999
Perhaps we should have a sliding scale of desperation numbers like.
991,992,993 - 999
Posted by: sue, oxford on 6:25pm Fri 2 May 08
They still can't arrest anybody, so what happens when they go to a low level of anti-social behaviour and somebody needs arresting? They still will need to wait for the police to arrive in which case the yob could of run off what a joke!!!!
They still can't arrest anybody, so what happens when they go to a low level of anti-social behaviour and somebody needs arresting? They still will need to wait for the police to arrive in which case the yob could of run off what a joke!!!!
Posted by: Steve, Cowley on 7:21pm Fri 2 May 08
It frees up more time for the Polce officers to be forced indoors to fill in ever more pointless paperwork more like!
It frees up more time for the Polce officers to be forced indoors to fill in ever more pointless paperwork more like!
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 8:54pm Fri 2 May 08
New Labour,New Crimes,New Police Force,New Danger.
New Labour,New Crimes,New Police Force,New Danger.
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