Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)
On 2nd February 2006 the Policing Board agreed in principle to the recruitment of PCSOs, subject to no variation between the vetting criteria for membership of the PCSO and those which govern regular police officers; and confirmation of the contents of the proposed terms of employment of PCSOs in the draft legislation.
The Policing Board believes that the introduction of PCSOs to Northern Ireland would be of substantial benefit to all communities and to the overall policing of Northern Ireland. Their key role is to provide a high visibility and reassurance to communities using a problem solving approach to tackling quality of life issues. The Policing Board, working with PSNI and the NIO, are working on the policy and legislation required to employ PCSOs. It is anticipated that the necessary legislation will be in place by March 2007.