PCSO recruitment process

Stage 1 - Application

Applications are only available when we are recruiting for PCSOs.

Before you apply, check that recruitment is open and that you are eligible to apply. Only eligible candidates will progress to national sift.

Stage 2 - National sift

The national sift consists of two exercises testing the competencies and values that are important for the role of PCSO. You will be asked to complete a situational judgement test (SJT) and a behavioural-style questionnaire.

Stage 3 - Interview

If you are successful at the application stage, we will invite you to an interview. 

The interview will focus on your skills, experience and qualities and your understanding of the role.

You should carry out research on Lincolnshire Police and policing issues in the county. You should show why you have applied to become a PCSO and why you wish to serve with us.

Stage 4 - Medical

We will ask you to complete a medical history questionnaire and attend a medical appointment. This is with our force physician in Nettleham. It will include a medical examination, eyesight and hearing test.

Although there is no fitness test, we will assess that you are medically capable of performing the role. This includes being able to undertake personal safety training.

You must have a reasonable height/weight ratio. Our force physician will assess this by calculating your body mass index.

Stage 5 - Pre-employment checks

We will conduct comprehensive vetting checks and request references covering the past five years.

Vetting

We will conduct police checks on you, your immediate family and any adult living at the same address as you. We will also request National Security Vetting and carry out financial checks. We do this to ensure that we employ people with the highest levels of integrity, who can behave professionally at all times, as the public would expect from the service.

The vetting process is entirely confidential and you will be required to provide details of the following persons:

• spouse/partner
• father
• stepfather/mother’s partner
• mother
• stepmother/father’s partner
• brothers/sisters (full/half/step)
• children/children of your partner (only those aged 10 years and over)
• any other adult living at your address

The vetting checks look for any previous behaviour (for both the applicant and family or associates) which may present a risk to the force. As a PCSO you will be in a privileged position, with access to police premises, assets and information, so we must conduct appropriate checks before you join. We will look at your previous arrests, cautions, convictions, investigations that you may have been part of, penalty notices intelligence and so on. We will also check that you are not in a vulnerable position, financially or otherwise.

The information is reviewed by our vetting team and a decision will be made surrounding your suitability for the role. Without vetting clearance you will not be able to progress with your application.

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 conditional offer of employment, but before a final offer to appoint.

References

We will request references from all your employers and educational establishments for the last five years. We will not take a reference from your current employer at this stage, unless you specify that they can be.

You will need to account for any gaps in your employment or education history within the past five years.

When all the necessary checks are complete, we will write to you to confirm your acceptance.

Your application is held until we have confirmation of a start date as a PCSO. Your appointment is subject to your continued suitability. 

More information

Contact the Resource and Succession Planning Team:

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