Police Community Support Officer Apprenticeship
About the role
What You’ll Do:
As a PCSO Apprentice, you’ll work alongside trainers and experienced officers to:
- Engage with local communities to build trust and reduce crime
- Provide visible patrols to improve public safety
- Support vulnerable individuals and respond to incidents
- Gather intelligence and assist in investigations
What You’ll Learn:
Through a structured apprenticeship programme, you’ll gain:
- A nationally recognised qualification in community safety
- Practical policing skills and on-the-job experience
- Personal development and career progression opportunities
Working week
Hours– Mixture of days and late shifts (not past 10pm). This includes 1 weekend in the shift pattern.
Skills
Required qualifications
Training & development
Initial training:
- 16 weeks of classroom-based training. This includes a 2-week patrol experience working in the community shadowing PCSO Mentors undertaking their role
On completion of initial training:
- 6 weeks tutor phase working alongside an experienced PCSO
- 28 weeks full occupational competency phase where you will be on independent patrol, gathering evidence to complete your apprenticeship including the Level 4 Diploma
- 13 weeks phase of mock end point assessments and then the final end point assessment
- Building a workforce that represents our communities is important to us
- We aim to attract & keep people with the best skills & highest potential
- Opportunites to progress to other roles within Merseyside Police are available after a period of probation
Company benefits
33 days holiday increasing with service to 38 days.
Benefits: Local Government Pension Scheme, In-depth training at our Mather Avenue Training Centre, Continuous Professional Development, Police Blue Light Card Discounts, Access to staff networks.
Things to consider
Details of the recruitment stages can be found on our PCSO information page - https://www.merseyside.police.uk/police-forces/merseyside-police/areas/careers/join-us/police-community-support-officers. We are currently recruiting PCSO’s to start employment in 2026