Police Community Support Officer - Plymouth

British Transport Police; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel benefits

Pension scheme

Learning & development

Job summary

British Transport Police is recruiting a Police Community Support Officer in Plymouth. You will patrol stations and rail network areas, support passengers and staff, and assist with investigations while helping to identify local concerns affecting the railway.

The role emphasises strong community relations, teamwork with officers, and a commitment to delivering a high standard of public service across the network.

Qualifications

• No previous policing experience required; values, motivation and transferable skills are considered.
• Ability to work as part of a team and maintain a calm, professional demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Conduct visible patrols at stations and across the rail network
• Support victims and provide reassurance to passengers, railway staff and the public
• Assist with minor investigations and intelligence gathering
• Help manage security threats and operational incidents
• Build strong relationships with communities and partner organisations
• Work alongside Police Officers and other policing colleagues
• Help identify and respond to local concerns affecting the railway

Job description

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)

Make a difference where it matters most

Join British Transport Police as a Police Community Support Officer and play a vital role in protecting passengers, supporting communities and keeping the railway safe.

Location: Plymouth

Salary: £29,483.96 per year

Shift Allowance: Up to 20%, with a minimum of 15% after training

Annual Leave: 28 days, rising to 30 days with service

Why become a BTP PCSO?

Police Community Support Officers are an integral part of British Transport Police.

As a PCSO, you will provide a visible and reassuring presence across the railway network.

You will:

• Conduct visible patrols at stations and across the rail network
• Support victims and provide reassurance to passengers, railway staff and the public
• Assist with minor investigations and intelligence gathering
• Help manage security threats and operational incidents
• Build strong relationships with communities and partner organisations
• Work alongside Police Officers and other policing colleagues
• Help identify and respond to local concerns affecting the railway

An enhanced operational role

Unlike PCSOs in many Home Office police forces, BTP PCSOs are trained and equipped with handcuffs. This reflects the distinctive operational environment in which our PCSOs work and the important contribution they make to keeping the railway safe.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people who:

• Are resilient and able to remain calm under pressure
• Can communicate confidently with people from different backgrounds
• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills
• Have strong interpersonal and relationship‑building abilities
• Are committed to supporting communities and building trust
• Can use good judgement when responding to challenging situations
• Work effectively as part of a team
• Share our commitment to providing an excellent service to the public

You do not need previous policing experience to apply. We are interested in your values, motivation, transferable skills and potential to succeed in the role.

What you will receive

In return for the important work you undertake, you will receive:

• A salary of £29,483.96 per year
• A shift allowance of up to 20%, with a minimum of 15% after training
• 28 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 days with service
• Travel benefits
• Ongoing learning and professional development
• Access to in-house talent and development teams
• Career development opportunities across British Transport Police
• A defined contribution pension scheme administered by Royal London
• Develop your career with BTP

Everyone is welcome at BTP

British Transport Police is committed to building a workforce where everyone feels that they belong.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences.

Diversity strengthens our teams and improves our ability to understand and serve passengers, railway staff and communities.

We are committed to providing a fair and accessible recruitment process.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage, please tell us what support you need. We are here to help you participate fully in the recruitment process.

Develop your career with BTPA career as a Police Community Support Officer is rewarding and important in its own right.

PCSOs play a vital role in neighbourhood policing, safeguarding vulnerable people, solving problems within communities and building public trust and confidence across the railway network.

British Transport Police is committed to supporting your long-term development. You will have opportunities to broaden your knowledge, strengthen your operational skills and explore career development opportunities across the organisation.

If you later decide to pursue a career as a Police Constable, successful completion of your PCSO probationary period will also satisfy the work experience requirement for the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP). This is one of several possible development opportunities available to you and does not diminish the importance or professional standing of the PCSO role.

Working patterns

Policing the railway requires flexibility. You must be prepared to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays. Further information about working patterns will be provided during the recruitment process.

Before you apply

Please review the following requirements carefully.

You will not be eligible to apply if:

• You have been unsuccessful at interview for a BTP PCSO role within the last three months
• You have been unsuccessful at the application or online testing stage for a PCSO, Police Officer or Special Constable role within the last three months
• You have failed BTP vetting within the last 24 months
• You have received a custodial or suspended sentence
• You have been dismissed from a police force or are currently under investigation
• You have a current County Court Judgment, unmanaged Individual Voluntary Arrangement or unresolved bankruptcy
• You do not have the right to work in the UK
• You have not lived continuously in the UK for the past three years
• You have tattoos that are considered offensive
• Visible tattoos will be assessed individually

Declaring previous matters

All cautions, convictions and previous police involvement must be declared as part of your application.

Declaring a previous matter does not necessarily mean that your application will be unsuccessful. Each case will be considered individually.

Your application journey

1. Online ApplicationComplete and submit the online application form, providing accurate information about your experience, motivation and suitability for the role.
2. Situational Judgement TestAs part of the selection process, you will complete an online Situational Judgement Test.The assessment will consider how you are likely to respond to situations that may arise in the PCSO role. If you are unsuccessful, you may reapply after three months.
3. Further Recruitment StagesIf you successfully complete the initial application and assessment stages, you will receive information about the next stages of the recruitment process.
4. Candidate PoolSuccessful applicants will be placed in a 12-month candidate pool and considered for vacancies as they arise.Placement in the candidate pool does not guarantee an immediate appointment or a posting at a particular location. We encourage you to attend a Recruitment Q&A Session before applying. The session will help you understand more about the PCSO role, the working environment and the recruitment process.

We want to hear your authentic voice. You should be prepared to discuss the examples and information included in your application at later stages of the recruitment process.

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on 9th November 2026.

Need help?

If you have questions about the role, your eligibility, reasonable adjustments or the application process, please contact:[e-mail]

Join British Transport Police and help keep the railway safe every day