At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with local communities, prevent crime, and build relationships as a Police Community Support Officer.
- Company: Join Northumbria Police, one of England's largest forces, dedicated to community safety and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days leave, flexible working, a fantastic pension scheme, and discounts on shopping and travel.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable skills and a Level 4 Diploma.
- Qualifications: Level 2 English and one Level 3 qualification or relevant work experience required.
- Other info: Full-time role starting February 2026, with comprehensive training and support throughout your career.
The predicted salary is between 25098 - 34826 £ per year.
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) 2026
Join to apply for the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) 2026 role at Northumbria Police
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) 2026
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) 2026 role at Northumbria Police
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This range is provided by Northumbria Police. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Direct message the job poster from Northumbria Police
Salary: £25,098, rising to £27,531 basic annually (Plus you will be entitled a shift and weekend allowance, making potential earnings £31,748 – £34,826)
Location: Forcewide. Positions are available across the force area. Please note, we are unable to guarantee you a particular location.
Hours/Contract: Full time, 37 hours
Start Date: These vacancies are for a course starting February 2026. Initial classroom phase training will take 13 weeks and you must be available to attend the full training programme.
Working for #TeamNP
Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job – and that’s where our 2,000-strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in.
As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we’ll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted.
As one of the top 50 UK inclusive employers and a disability confident employer, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued.
Whether you’re a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first-rate support to manage your health and wellbeing. With year-round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best.
Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something that really matters.
Learn about our full benefits package
The role
Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing. It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).
Not only will the role equip you with the skills and confidence to engage with local communities, help prevent crime and build valued relationships, upon successful completion of the initial training course you will also receive a Level 4 Diploma of Community Policing Practise.
As a PCSO, you will provide a visible and reassuring presence, acting as the eyes and ears of both the public and Northumbria Police. The community we serve is diverse and you could be working in either rural or urban communities. You will be part of a Neighbourhood Policing Team, engaging with local communities and partners to build positive relationships, identify community issues, and implement solutions to keep communities safe. Your responsibilities will include:
- Handling incidents within your area and conducting initial investigations.
- Ensuring scene preservation when necessary.
- Providing quality service to victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour.
- Identifying vulnerable individuals and ensuring their safety.
- Participating in briefings, operations, and other policing activities.
- Attending court as needed and exercising designated powers set by the Chief Constable.
What you’ll bring
- Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. You will be able to adapt your communication style to best support the community. While you don’t have arrest powers, handcuffs, or batons, you will rely on your training, communication, and interpersonal skills to manage challenging situations.
- Relationship Building: Approachable and adaptable to build and maintain positive relationships, making you a respected figure in the community.
- Customer Focused: Strong focus on helping others being resourceful, diplomatic, motivated, and community-connected.
- Prioritisation: Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
- Resilient: You need to stand up for yourself and handle confrontations, but you’ll always have support from police officers and other staff. The camaraderie in this role is unique and invaluable, especially during tough times.
- Keen to Learn: As an apprentice PCSO your on-the-job learning will also be accredited with a Level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice and go towards the achievement of the Police Community Support Officer Apprenticeship
As we’re a 24/7 service, you’ll need to be flexible to work shifts – days, evenings and weekends.
Sound interesting? For further information, and to support your application, please view our PCSO application guide and the job description
To join as a Police Community Support Officer with Northumbria Police, applicants must have:
- Level 2 English (a GCSE or iGCSE at grade C (level 4) or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and / or Literacy) or Adult Literacy Plus
- For under 19\’s, you will also need Level 2 Maths (GCSE or iGCSE at grade C (level 4) or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 or Adult Numeracy Plus. This is desirable for over 19\’s.
AND
- A minimum of ONE Level 3 (or higher) qualification for example 1 A-Level qualification
OR
- Relevant work experience that will support your progression into the PCSO role. We will review work experience in line with our core force values and the National Competency and Values framework.
We know it\’s important for you to feel that you\’re not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.
Interested to learn more? For further information about the role please contact us by email at JoinTeamNP@northumbria.police.uk
What we offer
- 26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays.
- Enhanced maternity/ shared parental and adoption leave.
- Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours).
- Fantastic market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution.
- Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts.
- Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers.
- Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets.
- We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
- Access to gyms in some stations.
- Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Just so you know
Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Police Community Support Officer with #TeamNP.
To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute. If you haven\’t already, we recommend viewing our PCSO application guide and visiting our website.
If you have any questions, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team on JoinTeamNP@northumbria.police.uk
The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form, national sift and skill scan form followed by an interview in Summer 2025.
Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.
We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate with to improve the lives of disabled employees. We are also Disability Confident Employer, therefore if you demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as stated in the advert, we will progress your application and offer you an interview.
If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via JoinTeamNP@northumbria.police.uk for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.
If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance and medical information.
Terms of appointment
This is a permanent role subject to a 24-month commitment to post where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally with Northumbria Police. Due to the length of the mandatory training course, your probation period for this role will be 15 months.
Continued employment is dependent upon completing the training course without taking annual leave in this 13-week period. Failure at this stage will lead to the termination of your employment.
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Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) 2026 employer: Northumbria Police
Contact Detail:
Northumbria Police Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Northumbria Police. Understanding their commitment to community safety and inclusivity will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with local community initiatives or volunteer opportunities related to policing or community support. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your understanding of the role but also show your dedication to community service.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former PCSOs to gain insights into the role and the recruitment process. They can provide valuable tips on what to expect and how to stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by practising situational questions that focus on communication and relationship-building skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed challenging situations or built rapport with others.
We think you need these skills to ace Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Police Community Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with what Northumbria Police is looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that match the role. Focus on communication skills, relationship building, and any customer service experience you have. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully engaged with communities or handled challenging situations.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should express your passion for community service and your desire to contribute to Northumbria Police. Mention why you want to be a PCSO and how your background makes you a suitable candidate. Be sure to address the values and behaviours that are important to the organisation.
Prepare for the Interview: If selected for an interview, prepare by reviewing common interview questions for community support roles. Think about scenarios where you've demonstrated resilience, prioritisation, and effective communication. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident during the actual interview.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northumbria Police
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Police Community Support Officer, excellent communication is key. Be prepared to demonstrate how you can adapt your communication style to engage effectively with diverse community members. Use examples from past experiences where you've successfully resolved conflicts or built relationships.
✨Highlight Your Community Engagement Experience
Discuss any previous roles or volunteer work that involved community interaction. Northumbria Police values relationship building, so share specific instances where you’ve positively impacted your community or helped resolve local issues.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Adaptability
The role requires handling challenging situations with composure. Prepare to discuss times when you faced difficulties and how you managed them. Emphasise your ability to remain calm under pressure and your willingness to learn from experiences.
✨Research Northumbria Police Values
Familiarise yourself with the core values and mission of Northumbria Police. During the interview, align your answers with these values to show that you understand and are committed to their goals. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in being part of their team.