Community support officers get detention powers
From today community support officers will be able to detain individuals who refuse to give their name and address for 30 minutes.
But the granting of new powers comes amid concerns about the current performance of the CSOs.
The national roll out of detention powers comes after a 15-month trial period in six police forces, which found there was “no indication of there being a significant risk to either the CSO or the detainee as a consequence of the exercise of the power to detain”.
Speaking today, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears, said: “Community support officers, in addition to record numbers of police officers, are a key part of the Government’s strategy to tackle crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Giving them the power to detain suspects will make them even more effective in helping to build safe communities.
“The results of our evaluation of CSOs are very encouraging. It indicates that CSOs are making a real difference to the communities they serve, helping in the fight against crime and freeing up police officer time. It shows clearly that CSOs are valued by the public and police officers.”
Interim findings of the evaluation programme are mixed, however.
The study found some members of the public were more willing to talk to CSOs than their fully-fledged counterparts and asserts that both members of the public and police officers who have come into contact with CSOs have a high level of satisfaction. But it also highlighted confusion over the role of CSOs and the overall difference between their powers and those of fully sworn-in officers.
“Currently, there is limited evidence as to whether the presence of CSOs has an impact on crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour,” the report said.
In terms of the CSO extension of powers, reaction from the police has been mixed. Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, voiced her opposition, saying: “They are supposed to be the eyes and ears of the police service and therefore should not be placed in a potentially confrontational situations, which detaining someone clearly is,” she said.
But, the roll out was welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Its lead on CSOs, Peter Davies, said: “PCSOs are now part of the fabric of the police service nationally and we welcome the opportunity to give them powers that may be of use to them in helping to police local communities.
“The evaluation has shown that the power works in practice, is popular with PCSOs and has helped resolve some policing situations.
“Chief Constables will make independent decisions on whether to delegate this power based on their knowledge of local policing needs.”
He urged caution though, saying: “PCSOs have rapidly established for themselves a unique role within the police service, providing a reassuring and accessible police presence. However, we must strike a balance and remember that PCSOs were intended to assist in reassuring the public and providing a visible presence on the streets. Over equipping them and giving them too many powers will lead to a need for increased training and abstraction from their intended original role.”
