Name/Title
Sussex Police Community Support Officer's cap/hat badge c2003Entry/Object ID
264 Description
Metal shield shaped cap/hat badge in blue enamel marked "Community Support Sussex Police". On rear is a slider stamped "Firmin".Use
For use by a male or female Sussex Police Community Support OfficerContext
In 2002 police community support officers or pcso's, were introduced in England and Wales. Though they are not warranted officers, they have limited powers and are intended to provide uniform support to officers. Their introduction came in response to repeated demands from the public for a greater uniform patrol presence, especially on foot, with calls to put more uniformed police officers on "the beat". Because they required less training than regular officers, they were seen as a speedy and cost effective way of increasing a uniformed presence within the community. Most pcso's work in police community teams as part of neighbourhood policing, giving re-assurance and working closely with local groups. Nationally, their precise role varies from police force to police force, with some areas giving their pcso's considerably more powers and responsibilities than others.
The first PCSO's in Sussex Police were recruited in 2003 and their role has evolved over time. To begin with they were deployed within specific areas but in 2016 their numbers were reduced and they were given a more flexible role, with some additional responsibilities, to be deployed across much larger areas, responding to specific and changing needs. However by 2020, with increased numbers, they once again were allocated specific communities, with a renewed emphasis on rural areas.
To begin within Sussex Police PCSOs were issued the same caps and bowler hats as their police officer colleagues, but with a large blue shield badge, such as the one pictured specifically identifying them as community support officers. These were made by the badge and button makers "Firmin". In time, c2005, this badge was replaced with one very similar to the Sussex Police all ranks voided and enamelled coat of arms badge, but with the word "Police" replaced with "PCSO". In more recent years in turn these cap badges were replaced with the standard Sussex Police all ranks cap badge, bearing the word "Police", presumably to save money and to ease supply.