Scheme lets communities sponsor their own PCSO
PCC is empowering local areas through initiative
There are currently three locally-sponsored Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Northamptonshire and more will soon be taking their place in the police family.
The role is part of a new scheme developed by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner which allows communities to pay for a PCSO that will be dedicated to their area.
The scheme is open to organisations such as parish councils and business districts. Daventry Town Council and Kettering Borough Council were the first to take up the opportunity and now have sponsored PCSOs working in their area.
Sponsored PCSOs supplement the work of Northamptonshire Police in a local area. What makes this scheme different is the guarantee that the sponsored officer will be dedicated to their area. Sponsored PCSOs are only deployed on other duties in exceptional circumstances such as a major incident.
Northamptonshire Police pays for all training, uniform and equipment for a sponsored PCSO – a sponsor simply covers their salary and on-costs.
Stephen Mold, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, said: “We have developed this scheme to allow communities to contribute towards enhanced policing at a time when other Forces are reducing the use of PCSOs.
“I have been delighted by the response to this scheme from partners and I know that given the valuable work that PCSOs do, this will undoubtedly lead to a safer Northamptonshire.”
