Top cop: PCSOs "wanted batons and pepper spray"

6:14pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

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BUCKINGHAMSHIRE’S top policeman today revealed controversial police community support officers had asked him for batons and pepper spray.

Chief Superintendent Paul Tinnion, Thames Valley Police, made the point to illustrate the differences between the officers and police constables.

Police leaders have raised fears over the use of PCSOs, which have limited powers but are enlisted to be extra “eyes and ears” for police forces.

Ch Supt Tinnion told councillors today: “We have never said they are police officers. They are employed for a particular role.”

He said: “I have had PCSOs say “can I have a baton and pepper spray?” I have said “why, you are not a policeman, why do you need this equipment?”.”

Addressing a Buckinghamshire County Council probe into “neighbourhood policing”, Ch Supt Tinnion defended the introduction of PCSOs.

The Police Federation, which represents frontline staff, fear PCSOs are being called to situations which they have no powers to respond to and are used a “cheap” alternative to PCs.

Yet Ch Supt Tinnion said: “I have been very lucky. I have had very very good PCSOs and the relationship [they have with police officers] is excellent.”

He said: “They add real value.”

Crime had been falling for the county for the last 10 years he said, and Buckinghamshire was a “safe” county.

Yet Ch Supt Tinnion added: “My budget every year gets smaller, it doesn’t get bigger.

“We are not going to reduce police officer numbers so we are trying to find efficiencies elsewhere.”

Since April this year every area in England and Wales has had a Neighbourhood Policing team.

Officers for each area are available on the Thames Valley Police website (see link, right).

Another key element of this, Neighbourhood Action Groups, came under fire by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee for community and environmental services.

These groups are made up of residents with the aim of informing police about local concerns and priorities.

Cllr Trevor Egleton questioned: “I want to know how to monitor the performance of the NAGs and whether they are having an impact.”

And Cllr Alan Walters said: “If you are not delivering you are not going to get the sustainability of the NAG.”

And Cllr David Meacock asked: “Are we getting value for our bucks here?”

Ch Supt Tinnion said Neighbourhood Policing had been a “massive culture change” for the force – and acknowledged it was difficult to get residents to join NAGs.

He said: “This is reasonably new. We were under pressure to run the project nationally. When you do things quickly things get put in place before you do other things.

Adding there was “no secret formula” for NAGs he said: “We just need to make this work.”

Concluding the meeting committee chairman Cllr Richard Pushman said: “I am re-assured the police are doing a good job.

“Overall, I think our communities are much safer.”