Devon and Cornwall Constabulary backs PCSOs

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Friday, October 09, 2009
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This is Plymouth

DEVON and Cornwall Constabulary today came out in support of its Police Community Support Officers after what it described as 'inaccurate'

reports surrounding disciplinary cases.

 

Yesterday a national news programme reported

that the number of disciplinary actions against Devon and Cornwall’s

356 PCSOs had numbered 58 in the last year.

 

Today the force said disciplinary action taken against just four PCSOs in the last year.

 

A spokesman said there  have been 10 disciplinary

hearings which have resulted in action being taken in the last five

years, and only one PCSO has been dismissed in this time.

 

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton said: “We greatly value our PCSO and the huge benefit they have in our communities.

 

“Across the region they have played a major part in reducing

anti-social behaviour and increasing community engagement with our

force.

 

“We know that our communities value the role PCSOs play and are more confident in their local police as a result.

 

“Whether this be setting up local initiatives like boxing and

football clubs, or getting trained as lifeguards as part of Beach Beat

in Cornwall, PCSOs are making a real difference.”

 

ACC Netherton added: "Devon and Cornwall Constabulary sets very high standards for all its staff on and off duty.

 

"PCSOs have a very demanding role. Overall they have been a great

success and are highly regarded by the public for their work as part of

neighbourhood policing.”

The figures reported were released by 39 out of 44 forces in England and Wales after Freedom of Information Act requests by More4 News.

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23 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Megan, Plymouth

    Sunday, October 11 2009, 7:36AM

    “Perhaps the police could tell us what exactly was wrong with the detail and figures on that tv programme which showed us the very poor performance and record of the D&C PCSOs.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Mguuyakuku, Greenbank, PLYMOUTH

    Saturday, October 10 2009, 11:02AM

    “Taxpayer - You've come up with exactly the same answer as our PCSO's. Perhaps you are one of them. Are you? The whole point is that a PACT Meeting is a serious, formal meeting attended usually by some of the Partners, Plymouth City Council, The University of Plymouth and the Students's Union, etc., etc. These other events are aimed at specific groups 'the over 50's,' and the PACT in the Park at 'anyone they can attract in to their Gazebo or the Cafe etc., this is also, I'm told supplemented by 'doorstep calls' and 'street surveys.' But, what we really need is a mixture of these activities and it is not happening.

    Terry Leech - you're what I would referred to as a 'vested interest.' As an employee of West Country Housing and the former Manager of the Greenbank Hospital Estate, it has suited your purpose to cosy up to the PCSO's in order to bring certain elements on that estate under control, perhaps to the detriment of the rest of the Greenbank Area.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Dan, Plymouth

    Saturday, October 10 2009, 7:34AM

    “Tax Payer...

    I don't expect to have to ring up to report a crime when I can go out and tell the PCSO's myself.

    They are there to create a link to the community, but with this, please phone it in as we cannot do anything is just going against this..

    Utterly Pointless in my opinion.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Tax Payer, Plymouth

    Friday, October 09 2009, 10:26PM

    “Firstly, Mguuyakuku - i would assume from your comment that you are an older gentleman and therefore unwilling to adapt to change. I would imagine that your PACT meetings were full of residents who just simply like to moan and therefore the Police do not recieve a representative view from the neighbourhood. Whereas, a meeting of such in a park I feel is an excellent idea and would welcome such an event in my area, which would therefore allow families like myself to attend and air our views as we would not have to arrange childcare. Secondly, Dan, what response did you require? Would a Police Officer not simply tell you the same as the PCSO's?”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Dan, Plymouth

    Friday, October 09 2009, 9:09PM

    “PCSO's are a waist of time.

    I approached the two who patrol our area...

    I told them how over the past week several cars had been vandalised.

    They then told me I needed to report it!!!

    Seriously what did they think I was doing right then?

    I asked them that... and they said...

    "Sorry sir you need to phone it in else it won't be recorded"

    I then told them how useless I thought they were a procedded to walk away from Bill and Ben the Flower pot men!!

    Get some real Bobbies on the beat and not these usless idiots!!”

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