Police Community Support Officer - Reading

British Transport Police; Reading; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 rising to 30 days holiday

Travel benefits

Internal progression opportunities

Continuous learning and development

Progression to become a Police Officer

Job summary

British Transport Police (BTP) is recruiting Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to patrol the Reading area and support the railway community. The role emphasizes visible presence, safeguarding passengers, and assisting officers to reduce crime and fear.

Applicants should be ready for weekend and bank holiday shifts in a permanent full-time capacity. The position offers a competitive salary and progression opportunities within BTP, with a structured pension and benefits package.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates should demonstrate resilience, excellent customer service skills, and a passion for community engagement and partnership-building.
• PCSOs should be prepared to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Conduct visible patrols at stations and on railway premises.
• Provide victim care and contribute to security threat management.
• Engage with communities and build positive relationships to reduce crime and fear.
• Assist with minor crime investigations and support police officers (PCs).
• Support operational policing activities and ensure safety in the railway environment.

Skills

Customer service

Resilience

Communication

Partnership-building

Job description

Police Community Support Officer - Reading

Job Type: Permanent Job Sector: Legal Region: South East Location: Reading Salary: £29,484per annum Salary Description: £29,483.96 per annum plus up to 20% shift allowance Posted: 15/09/2026 Recruiter: British Transport Police Job Ref: BTP/786/1741

Is the role for you?

Join us at British Transport Police (BTP) as we recruit PCSOs (Police CommunitySupportOfficers) to make a difference in our communities Superintendent David Rams said: "Our Police Community Support officers are an integral part of our British Transport Police family. They carry out vital work across the railway network to keep passengers and staff safe. We care deeply about our Police Community Support officers who deliver an exceptional service to our communities across England and Wales." Is the role for you? BTP is seeking PCSOs to join our team, protecting and serving the railway environment and its community to minimise disruption, crime, and fear of crime. This role is crucial to our mission. Like Home Office PCSOs, BTP PCSOs focus on enforcing BTP Byelaws within the railway environment, offering diverse responsibilities where no two days are the same. Responsibilities include conducting visible patrols at stations, victim care, security threat management, minor crime investigations, community relationship-building, and supporting PCs. Unlike Home Office police forces, our PCSOs are trained and equipped with handcuffs.

Ideal candidates

Ideal candidates should demonstrate resilience, excellent customer service skills, and a passion for community engagement and partnership-building. PCSOs should be prepared to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.

Locations

We are looking for PCSO's within our C Division: Reading.

In return for your commitment

Competitive salary: £29,483.96 rising up to £33,012.03 and up to 20% shift allowance. A minimum of 15% shift allowance will be received upon completion of 8 weeks training. Shift allowance can be up to 20% but will default to 15% in the first instance. This will increase year on year, until you reach the top spine point.

Benefits

• 28 rising to 30 days holiday
• travel benefits
• access to internal progression opportunities
• Continuous learning and development opportunities supported by our in-house talent & development teams.
• Including internal progression to become a Police Officer.

Are you eligible?

You will be ineligible to apply if:

• You have been unsuccessful in the last 6 months for the role of PCSO with BTP.
• If you have been unsuccessful following your application or online ability testing for Police Officer, Special Constable or PCSO, you must await 6 months before reapplying to any of these roles.
• You have been unsuccessful following BTP vetting checks within the last 12 months.
• You have ever received a custodial sentence this includes suspended sentences (other cautions, convictions and involvement with the police must be declared but are not necessarily a bar to employment).
• You have previously been dismissed from another force or you currently have a live investigation.
• You have been declared bankrupt, have a CCJ or an un-managed IVA.
• You have tattoos that are deemed offensive; tattoos on face and neck will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• You do not have permanent right to live and work in the UK.
• You have not resided consistently in the UK for the past 3 years.

The Pension

BTP GPP Police Staff Pension Scheme is administered by Royal London. It’s a defined contribution scheme, offering employees the flexibility to vary their pension contributions from 4.4% to 12% of their salary. For more information, visit the Royal London dedicated pension page or email us at [e-mail]. Please note if you are an existing member of Police Staff in the RPS your pension will not be affected.

Closing date for applications is midnight on 29th September 2026.

Interviews will be held locally.

Email our friendly and helpful team: [e-mail]. To reassure you, anything you ask us will be in the strictest confidence and will not form part of your application.

AI can be a useful tool to spark ideas or help you organise your thoughts, but when it comes to your application, we want to hear from you, not an algorithm. What truly stands out to us are genuine stories, personal insights and the experiences that have shaped who you are. Authenticity matters - it helps us understand your motivations, your strengths and how you’ll contribute to our team. So, use AI if it helps you get started, but let your own voice lead the way.

We are committed to protecting the public and supporting the community. Join the British Transport Police today.