Meet PCSO Zoe

Are you thinking about a different career for next year? PCSO Zoe recommends her job in policing!

“I joined the police as it’s always been a job that has really intrigued me. I have worked in different positions over the years, and I always felt like I was best suited to a job where every day is different, you are always challenging yourself and where the main focus is to help others, prevent crime, and hopefully make the world a better place each day,” she said.

Originally from Northern Ireland, she worked as a laboratory manager and heard about the role from a friend who worked as a PCSO in Hertfordshire.

“I thought the PCSO role was the best fit for me as being in Safer Neighbourhood Teams is very community and neighbourhood based. We tackle low level crime which I thought would be perfect, as I love being involved in communities and speaking to the public.

“I chose to become a PCSO in Hertfordshire as it is the county where I live. What better way is there to make the place you live a better place than by preventing crime?

“I like being a PCSO because every day is different, the workload is very manageable, the shifts are great, and you get to work alongside police officers.

“I always start every day by getting kitted up and heading into the office to the computer. I will look at overnight crimes that have occurred on my patch, have a read through, and check my workload to see what needs done.

“When I am on earlies, I try and tackle as much on my workload as possible, which could be collecting CCTV footage, doing house to house patrols, community and school events.

“I will always do a on foot patrol around my area and call in to local shops to see if anything has occurred during the day. On late shifts, I will also always do a walking patrol of my patch, before the shops close for the evening, to see if there are any crimes that need attending to. In the evenings, I patrol around Stevenage in police vehicles.

“When I told my family I was joining the police they were apprehensive, but when I explained how policing works in Hertfordshire and the role of a PCSO, they soon changed their minds and are now proud of me that I am doing something I have always wanted to do.

“I would absolutely recommend being a PCSO as you get an insight into how the policing world works, and you get out and about, talking to the public and being the face that they can relate to and feel comfortable with.”

• Salaries start at £29,085 and go up to £34,968
• PCSOs improve the quality of life for residents and make their area safer by proactively tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
• There’s shift work, some weekends and evenings.
• Part time and flexible hours offered.

For more information visit here and register your interest.