Are you eligible to be a PCSO?

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and ethnicities. You will need to meet some basic eligibility requirements before you can apply.

Age

You can apply at the age of 18. There is no upper age limit.

Driving

You must hold a full car driving licence (for PCSOs). Volunteer PCSOs do not need a driving licence.

Nationality

You must be a British Citizen, member of the EC or other states in the European Economic Area.

If you are a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national, you must be resident in the UK free of restrictions and with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Residency

You must have lived in the UK for the past three years from the date of your application. The only exception is British Military Personnel who have served abroad.

Qualifications

There are no formal educational requirements, but you will have to provide evidence on your application form that you have the necessary experience, skills and qualities for the role.

Health

You must meet the medical standard entry requirements and attend a medical assessment with our Force Physician.

Height and weight

There are no height limitations but you must have a reasonable height/weight ratio. Our Force Physician will assess this by calculating your body mass index.

Previous convictions, cautions and fixed penalties

Certain convictions and cautions will lead to automatic rejection unless there are exceptional circumstances. In particular:

• violence
• dishonesty
• drugs
• serious driving offences (including drink driving)

We will consider other convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings and fixed penalty notices on a case by case basis. Whether an application passes depends on the nature and circumstances of the offence.  

Police Checks and Security Vetting are carried out on you and your immediate family. The security service will also carry out checks to verify your identity and background.

DNA and fingerprints (biometric vetting)

We will take samples of your DNA and fingerprints and check against outstanding crimes. We do this after we make a provisional offer, but before a final offer to appoint.

Financial status

You will have your financial status checked. You must not have any wilfully undischarged debts (e.g. County Court Judgements / Bankruptcy). This does not include mortgages, hire purchase, student loans or other loans that you are paying off normally.

Your application will be rejected if you have an active County Court Judgement or Voluntary Agreement. If you have been declared bankrupt you will not be eligible to apply until three years from the date of the Certificate of Satisfaction. If you have discharged bankruptcy debts you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction.

Tattoos and piercings

We assess all tattoos and piercings before your application is progressed. Tattoos may preclude you from being recruited, depending on their content and position.

Visible tattoos and other visible body markings are unacceptable if they could reasonably be interpreted as:

• 'Discriminatory, offensive, obscene, indicate attitudes or views (e.g. misogynistic) inconsistent with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour.'

Careful consideration will be given to any tattoo on the neck, face and /or hands in deciding if it is acceptable. This includes considering the size, nature and prominence of the tattoo.

British National Party (BNP)

If you are a member of the BNP your application will be rejected. If you have previously been a member of the BNP, you may not be eligible for appointment. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. 

More information

Contact the Resource and Succession Planning Team:

Lincolnshire Police Headquarters
PO Box 999
Lincoln
LN5 7PH
Tel: 01522 558235
Email: [email protected]