2.1 Powers that cannot be granted to PCSOs
Designated PCSO powers are granted under Schedule 3C of the Police Reform Act 2002, as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2017. The act amended PCSO powers by allowing chief officers the discretion to designate powers that were not previously available. This meant that rather than having a limited generic suite of powers, chief officers could designate a wider variety of powers, duties and functions to meet the needs of their organisation and the needs of the public.
There are, however, powers that cannot be designated and are only available to a police officer. The box below shows the powers that cannot be designated to PCSOs.
Key law: Powers that cannot be designated to a PCSO
Part 1, Schedule 3C of the Police Reform Act 2002, as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2017, sets out the list of powers that are reserved solely for use by police constables and that cannot be designated to PCSOs. This includes:
- any power or duty of a constable to make an arrest
- any power or duty of a constable to stop and search an individual or a vehicle or other thing
- performing the role of custody officer
- any power that is exercisable only by a constable of a particular rank
- any power of a constable under the Terrorism Acts 2000–2015
- any power of a constable under the Official Secret Acts 1911–1989
- making an application for a warrant.
Click the link below to explore the powers that are specific to PCSOs. Open the link in a new tab or window so you can easily return to the course.
PCSO specific powers [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] [Open the link in a new tab or window so you can easily return to the course.]