Wiltshire Police are now recruiting for police community support officers, the second time this year the force has needed to recruit.

The force says 'natural turnover' has resulted in PCSO numbers dropping below the minimum requirement and it needs to recruit for more to start in October. 

Applications are open from today and the closing date is Monday, May 12, at 5pm.

PCSOs patrol, acting as an crime deterrent, especially with regard to anti-social behaviour, say Wiltshire Police, but do not have the same powers as a police officer so duties do not include making arrests, investigating serious crimes, or carrying out covert operations.

Chief Constable Pat Geenty said: “I am delighted that we are in a position to recruit additional police community support officers.

"PCSOs provide essential support to police officers and make a real difference to local communities.”

And Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “Police community support officers are an important part of the police family, being a proactive, visible link between the force and local neighbourhoods alongside their neighbourhood police officer colleagues.

“We are also particularly encouraging applications from minority ethnic communities, as they are presently under-represented within Wiltshire Police.”

Applications are welcomed from both Wiltshire Police staff and from members of the public.

To be successful in this role, you must;

• Be confident and approachable; 

• Have good communication skills; 

• Have the ability to work on your own, or as part of a team • Possess good problem solving skills; 

• Demonstrate a flexible working approach; 

• Previous experience of dealing with the public and providing a high level of service is essential; 

• Have a good standard of health; 

• Have a full driving licence on appointment;

• There are no minimum or maximum height requirements; 

• There is no formal educational requirement; 

• Only applications from British citizens, EC/EEA nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or foreign nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK will be accepted; 

• A number of convictions will mean a definite or likely rejection of your application, including anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offence;

• You must be physically and mentally able to undertake police duties;

• You will need to complete a medical history questionnaire and undergo an eyesight test satisfactorily before your appointment can be confirmed; 

• Some tattoos (whether visible or not) and facial piercings might be unacceptable.

For more information, visit the Wiltshire Police website www.wiltshire.police.uk, www.facebook.com/wiltshirepolice or twitter.com/wiltshirepolice  

Further questions should be dealt with by emailing resourcing@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk or call the dedicated recruitment phone line on 01380 734132, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, but do not call 101 for information about the recruitment process.