In the Safer Neighbourhoods section of our website, you can find out more information about the role of a PCSO.
Hampshire Constabulary welcomes applicants from prospective employees who are disabled. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants who are disabled and who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy will be offered access to the selection process.
Hampshire Constabulary also has a comprehensive range of sports and social clubs, which are open to all employees, either police officers or police staff. See the attached document for more information about the benefits of joining one of these clubs (.pdf, 12KB).
The Family Care Co-ordinator is available to provide information and advice to working parents and carers on childcare support and the Force's work life balance oriented initiatives and policies.
Hampshire Constabulary Assessment Process for Police Community Support Officers
Every police force has its own appointment standards and assessment process for Police Community Support Officers.
Application Form
You will be required to complete a special application form for the role. You will need to demonstrate competency in skills that are relevant to the job. You will also be sent a medical questionnaire. Applicants may not be able to progress further if they do not have a good attendance record.
The Assessment Day
If your application form meets the required standard after screening you will be invited to an assessment day which will include the following elements:
Written Test
This is a written exercise to test your standards of English including your ability to summarise written information into a short report.
Job-Related Fitness Test
This consists of two elements. The first element is shuttle runs, in which you will be asked to run back and forth along a 15-metre track in time with a series of bleeps. If you arrive at the end line before the bleep sounds you need to wait for the bleep before resuming running and to adjust your speed. The timing between bleeps is slow at first but this gap decreases as the test progresses and it becomes more difficult to keep up with the required speed. You will run until you can no longer keep up with the set pace. You will need to reach a minimum of four shuttles at level 5.4 to pass.
The second element will assess your dynamic strength using a machine called the Dyno machine. The test involves performing five seated chest pushes and five seated back pulls on the machine. The average force of the sum of the five pushes and the average force of the sum of the five pulls will be recorded. You need to achieve an average of 34kgs on the push and 35kgs on the pull to pass.
What to Bring to the Assessment Day
You will need to bring the following with you when you attend the assessment day:
- Driving licence (including endorsement sheet)
- Photo identification, eg a passport. If you do not have photo ID you must bring two of the following:
- British Driving Licence
- P45
- Birth Certificate issued within six weeks of birth
- Cheque Book and Bank Card with three statements and proof of signature
- Proof of residence, eg council tax, gas, electricity, water or telephone bill
- Suitable clothing and footwear for taking the physical assessment (showers and changing facilities are available).
- Completed security questionnaire (see below)
- Completed eyesight form (see below)
Interview
The questions at the interview will be based on the job description and person specification and will include respect for race and diversity. The interview is expected to last up to 45 minutes. You also need to prepare a short briefing (to last no more than five minutes) on an appropriate topic, the subject of which will be advised in your invitation to the interview. Your briefing should be original, and not just downloaded from a website! We are not able to provide any equipment to assist you in delivering your briefing.
Medical Standards
You will need to complete a medical questionnaire if you are shortlisted for interview. If you are successful at the assessment day it will be necessary for you to attend a medical appointment at a later date. The medical examination will include hearing and blood pressure checks, and the nurse may also ask you questions about your medical history based on the information you provided in the medical questionnaire. The nurse will also check your optician's report (see below) to ensure that your eyesight is within the required standard for this post.
Other
If you have any special needs and require adjustments at the assessment day it is essential that you advise us accordingly so we can make the necessary arrangements for you. Dyslexic applicants must provide proof of dyslexia before they attend the assessment day in the form of a report from an educational or occupational psychologist.
Security Questionnaire
You will be sent various security questionnaires together with guidelines for completion. You should read the guidelines before completing the forms, and also read all the instructions on the forms themselves. You should bring the completed forms with you to the assessment day. Failure to provide all the requested information will delay your clearance, and could delay your start date.
Eyesight Standards
You must have good eyesight, ie at least 6/36 uncorrected vision. The constabulary accepts applicants who have had corrective eye surgery. You will be sent a form which must be completed by a qualified optician to confirm that you meet the eyesight standard and bring this to the assessment day. The results must be from an eye test taken within the last 12 months.
You will fail the medical if your eyesight is outside the required standard, so if you have any doubts about whether you meet it, then you should contact us for advice before attending the assessment day. Please note that any cost incurred by you for the optician appointment is not refundable by the constabulary.
How to Apply
Below is a list of documents including the PCSO application forms along with guidance and further information that may be of use when considering applying to become a PCSO. If you wish to apply for the role of a PCSO, please complete the application form and the Application Continuation form.
Police Community Support Officers Team Contact Details
Tel : 023 80450900
Email: recruiting.pcso@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Please send completed application forms to:
PCSO Recruiting Department
Hampshire Constabulary
Hamble Lane
Hamble
Southampton
SO31 4TS
