Officers from both the Ilkeston and Long Eaton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams have issued a statement on social media after seeing a rise in the extent of negativity towards Police Community Support Officers over the past few weeks, particularly across social media.
The statement concluded that some of the negativity may come from confusion around how the role of a PCSO is different to that of a police constable.
It said that PCSOs, among other members of the various teams, have varying priorities, with one of the biggest around engagement with officers aiming to be available to all elements of our community, with events run at a variety of places from schools to cafes and more besides.
The PCSO role was introduced as part of the Police Reform Act on 24th July 2002, playing an integral part in neighbourhood policing ever since.
Based in local areas, PCSOs provide a crucial police presence. Primarily through targeted visible patrol, they deter anti-social behaviour, provide reassurance, gather intelligence and work with businesses, schools and partnership agencies to help protect our communities. PCSOs have an in-depth knowledge of their local areas, and their familiarity with the public can help diffuse potentially threatening scenarios and alleviate tensions.
Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster said: “PCSOs play a critical role in keeping our communities safe often bringing in valuable intelligence that can lead to the apprehension of criminals. They also play a major role in our partnership working programme with regards to anti-social behaviour and Road Safety for example, working with schools, local community groups and local councillors to find long term solutions to very local issues."