Role of a Police Community Support Officer

The request was successful.

Dear West Mercia Police,

Can you please provide the following information.

1) The expected role/conduct of a Police Community Support Officer while ON duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

2) The expected role/conduct of a Police Community Support Officer while OFF duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

3) The expected role/conduct of a Police Officer while ON duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

4) The expected role/conduct of a Police Officer while OFF duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

5) The expected role/conduct of a Police Staff while ON duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

6) The expected role/conduct of a Police Staff while OFF duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

 
Dear Mr Chambers
 
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 12938
 
I write in connection with your request for West Mercia Police information
which was dated 9th November 2019 and received on 11th November 2019.
 
Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). 
 
Please note that due to an unprecedented number of requests being received
for subject access and FOI, for the foreseeable future requests are now
being triaged and addressed in the following order; Subject Access
requests and then FOI requests.  Every effort will be made to meet our
statutory timescales for responses, subject to the information not being
exempt or containing a reference to a third party. and we ask for your
understanding.
We will aim to provide the information within 20 working days as required
by the Freedom of Information Act.
 
There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of
the information you request.  If this is the case you will be informed and
the 20 working day timescale will be suspended until we receive payment
from you. If you chose not to make payment then your request will remain
unanswered.
 
Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.
 
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.
 
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
Information Compliance Administrator
Information Compliance Unit
 
DD 01905 331545 (Ext. 2545)
 
 
 

Dear Information Compliance,

The Freedom of Information Act says:

A public authority must comply with section 1(1) promptly and in any event not later than the twentieth working day following the date of receipt and this was 11 November 2019.

I as a consequence fully expect to receive your response by Friday 6 December 2019 especially in view of the fact I have requested simple information - role/conduct of Police employees which will be available to you extremely easily.

This information is very important to me as I need clarification.

Yours sincerely,

Mr MCJ Chambers

Dear Information Compliance,

If the day the request email was delivered was a non-working day (9 November 2019) , we count the next working day (11 November 2019 is day one) as “day one”. Delivery is delivery, even if it happened on the weekend.

Yours sincerely,

Mr MCJ Chambers

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

Dear Mr Chambers

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 12938

I write in connection with your request for information received on 9th November 2019.

I regret to inform you that West Mercia Police has not been able to complete its response to your request within the 20 working days .
Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused. Every effort will be made to ensure an appropriate response will be made as soon as possible.
Please would you advise us if this information is no longer required
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Information Compliance Unit
West Mercia Police
PO Box 55
Hindlip
Worcester
WR3 8SP
01905 331545 / 331565

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the copyright owner's written permission to reproduce any part of the attached information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the decision is incorrect?
You have the right to require West Mercia Police (WMP) to review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with the person that dealt with your request.
Ask to have the decision looked at again -
The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to contact the person named at the end of your decision letter.
That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.
Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the decision reviewed. WMP must be notified of your intention to complain within 20 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:
West Mercia Police Headquarters
Information Compliance Unit
Hindlip Hall
Hindlip
PO Box 55
Worcester
WR3 8SP
or
Email: [West Mercia Police request email]
In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint within 20 working days.
The Information Commissioner
After lodging a complaint with WMP if you are still dissatisfied with the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner please visit their website at https://ico.org.uk/ Alternatively, phone or write to:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 0303 123 1113 (local rate or 01625 545745 if you prefer to use a national rate number
Fax: 01625 524510

show quoted sections

Dear Information Compliance,

I thank you for contacting me to confirm you will be unable to provide request for information received on 9th November 2019. I note that you have failed to respond with a name of the individual dealing with this matter merely stating "Information Compliance Unit", how rude!

It is most disappointing that in your response you fail to bother to give a reason for this being the case.

It is perfectly fair to have fully expected you to have provided this information.

It is though clear to me why you have not provided this SIMPLE information as it is easily available to you as it can be found at:
https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do...

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/police-...

This being you are fully aware that I have made a complaint against a West Mercia Police PSCO regarding his conduct and it is still being investigated, so you have DELIBERATELY not provided it within legislation timescales.

Yours sincerely,

Mr MCJ Chambers

Dear Information Compliance,

I contacted you 6 working days ago due to you refusing to provide the FIO request within the recommended timescale of 20 working days.

In my communication I raised the fact you have failed to give a reason for not doing so.

I politely request you do so and further update me as to when you will be providing this FIO request.

Yours sincerely,

Mr MCJ Chambers

Dear Information Compliance,

I contacted you 10 working days ago due to you refusing to provide the FIO request within the recommended timescale of 20 working days.

In my communication I raised the fact you have failed to give a reason for not doing so.

I once again politely request you do so and further update me as to when you will be providing this FIO request.

Should you continue to ignore my communication I will be requesting an internal review due to your continued rudeness and failing to give a reason for not abiding my legislation.

The FIO legislation is very clear what your obligations are when dealing with members of the public.

Yours sincerely,

Mr MCJ Chambers

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

Dear Mr Chambers,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO:  West Mercia Police 12938

 

Thank you for your email of 10 December 2019 requesting an update in
relation to your FOI request.  Please accept my apologies for the delay in
responding to your FOI request and for any inconvenience caused.  We are
currently dealing with an unprecedented number of requests which we are
working through as quickly as possible.  We will provide you with a
response to your request as soon as we are able.

 

Your complaint rights are outlined below should you be unsatisfied.

 

If you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please contact
the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number above.

 

Kind regards,

 

David

 

 

David COLE (C60405), Supervisor – Information Compliance Unit

West Mercia Police

Email [1][West Mercia Police request email]

Post Information Compliance Unit, PO Box 55, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3 8SP

[2]www.westmercia.police.uk

 

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1
and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed
information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. 
However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information
will continue to be protected by law.  Applications for the copyright
owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

 

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

 

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?  You have the right to require West Mercia Police
(WMP) to review their decision.

 

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person that dealt with your request.

 

Ask to have the decision looked at again.  The quickest and easiest way to
have the decision looked at again is to telephone the person named at the
end of your decision letter.  That person will be able to discuss the
decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.

 

Complaint

 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the
decision reviewed.  WMP must be notified of your intention to complain
within 20 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request.  Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

 

Information Compliance Unit

West Mercia Police Headquarters

PO Box 55

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

 

Alternatively, you can email [3][West Mercia Police request email]

 

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with
in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

 

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their [4]website.  Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel:  0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax:  01625 524 510

 

 

show quoted sections

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Chambers

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 12938

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 11^th November 2019. Please find below the response to your request:

 

 

Can you please provide the following information.

 

1) The expected role/conduct of a  Police Community Support Officer while
ON duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the
community.

 

2) The expected role/conduct of a  Police Community Support Officer while
OFF duty in relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the
community.

 

3) The expected role/conduct of a  Police Officer while ON duty in
relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

 

4) The expected role/conduct of a  Police Officer while OFF duty in
relation to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

 

5) The expected role/conduct of a  Police Staff while ON duty in relation
to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

 

6) The expected role/conduct of a  Police Staff while OFF duty in relation
to anti social behaviour and minor offences in the community.             

Reply:-

 

1)    The expected role/conduct of a  Police Community Support Officer
while ON duty in relation to anti-social behaviour and minor offences in
the community

 

PCSO’s are posted in the main to safer  neighbourhood teams (SNT) so many
work within schools and similar establishments. Deployment to jobs they
attend will come from a number of sources including calls to the police,
emails to the SNT, through their own proactive work and by engaging with
the public or community groups. The expectation would be that they would
deal with Anti- Social behaviour (ASB) or minor offences within their
powers and job description based on the deployment they received.

 

Please see the attached job description.

 

2)    The expected role/conduct of a  Police Community Support Officer
while OFF duty in relation to anti-social behaviour and minor offences in
the community.

 

All members of Police Staff are bound by the Code of Ethics for on and off
duty. The off duty conduct for police staff would vary based on the role
they have. Off duty a PSCO would need to consider their powers, their
experience and their safety when dealing with matters. If they came across
ASB or minor offences being committed the could they could act as a
witness, inform the police or intervene but considering the previously
mentioned concerns.

 

Code of Ethics can be located at
[1]https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do...

 

3)    The expected role/conduct of a  Police Officer while ON duty in
relation to anti-social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

 

As per question 1 but Police officers are empowered to have more
responsibility and powers when it comes to minor offences.

 

4)    The expected role/conduct of a Police Officer while OFF duty in
relation to anti-social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

 

Like police staff, police officers and bound by the code of ethics and
standards of professional behaviour. It would depend of the severity and
immediacy of any incident for officers to get involved. If they came
across the matter in action then again dependant on what they were doing
at the time, they could put themselves back on duty to assist of deal with
the matter.

 

5)    The expected role/conduct of a  Police Staff while ON duty in
relation to anti-social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

 

There are many different roles for police staff ranging from PCSO’s,
Police Staff Investigators to admin assistance who never interaction with
members of the public, dealing with matters on duty would depend on their
role and the circumstances

 

6)    The expected role/conduct of a  Police Staff while OFF duty in
relation to anti-social behaviour and minor offences in the community.

 

Again all staff are bound by the code of ethics so their role/conduct
would depend on experience and role but they would have an obligation to
report, observe or support if possible.

 

 

 

 

 

Please accept my apology for the late reply.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as
accurate as possible

Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

Yours sincerely

 

Ms V Lewis

Information Compliance Unit
West Mercia Police

PO Box 55

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

01905 331545 / 331565

 

 

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1
and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed
information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information
will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the copyright
owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require West Mercia Police (WMP) to review their
decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again -

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
contact the person named at the end of your decision letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the
decision reviewed. WMP must be notified of your intention to complain
within 20 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

West Mercia Police Headquarters

Information Compliance Unit

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

PO Box 55

Worcester

WR3 8SP

or

Email:  [West Mercia Police request email]

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with WMP if you are still dissatisfied with the
decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for a
decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at https://ico.org.uk/ Alternatively phone or
write to:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Phone: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 if you prefer to use a
national rate number

Fax:     01625 524 510

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do...