Dispatches contacted Police Community Support Officers by email through their unions (UNISON and the Public and Commercial Services Union). The email directed them to a web link where they could complete an online survey.
1,010 PCSOs responded out of an estimated 11, 000 union members. Here are the results.
1: Do you believe you were given adequate training to perform your duties?
Yes: 664 (66%)
No: 334 (33%)
Don't know: 9
Skipped question: 3
2: Do you believe you have adequate powers to do your job properly?
Yes: 258 (25%)
No: 749 (74%)
Skipped question: 3
3. Do you think all PCSO powers, including those currently on the discretionary powers list, should become standard powers awarded to all PCSOs?
Yes: 908 (90%)
No: 45 (4.5%)
Don't know: 51
Skipped question: 6
4. Do you think all PCSOs across England and Wales should have the power to detain for 30 minutes (as set out currently in the discretionary list of powers)?
Yes: 887 (88%)
No: 78 (8%)
Don't know: 41
Skipped question: 4
5. If you answered yes to question 4, please answer this question. Do you think PCSOs should have the power to use reasonable force to detain for 30 minutes?
Yes: 799 (79%)
No: 87 (9%)
Don't know: 38
Skipped question: 86
6. Do you think PCSOs should have the same power of arrest as a fully warranted Police Officer?
Yes: 334 (33%)
No: 664 (66%)
Skipped question: 12
7: Do you believe the public understand the role you perform?
Yes: 160 (16%)
No: 841 (83%)
Skipped question: 9
8: Have you ever been verbally assaulted?
Yes: 848 (84%)
No: 157 (15%)
Skipped question: 5
9: Have you ever been physically assaulted?
Yes: 247 (24%)
No: 751 (74%)
Skipped question: 12
10: Have you ever been poorly treated by police officers?
Yes: 469 (46%)
No: 534 (53%)
Skipped question: 7
11: Do you wish to become a police officer?
Yes: 342 (34%)
No: 524 (52%)
Don't know: 142
Skipped question: 2
