About the qualification
Qualification Number: 610/5206/1
Operational Start Date: 1st February 2025
Total Qualification Time: 810 hours
Guided Learning: 240 hours
What are the objectives for the Level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice Qualification?
The primary function of the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) is to be the visible and uniformed presence of the service in the community, fostering and promoting relationships (especially in respect of community cohesion, diversity and inclusivity) across communities. Policing Vision 2025 recognises that PCSOs play a key role in helping to ‘solve local problems, tackle anti-social behaviour and build trust and legitimacy in communities.’
The main objective of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required for the role of the Police Community Support Officer. The qualification is based on and mapped to the PCSO curriculum, which is available in the document ‘Policing Education Qualifications Framework: Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Entry Routes – Curriculum, Qualification and Assessment’.
The qualification is a mandatory component of the apprenticeship programmes in England and Wales.
What are the pre-entry requirements for the Level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice Qualification?
Learners are required to have completed the PCSO recruitment process to access this qualification, which includes common eligibility requirements regarding age, nationality and physical fitness. Individual police forces may have additional specific entry requirements.
Applications for the PCSO role are submitted through individual police forces, and prospective learners should check eligibility and recruitment windows locally. The recruitment process includes the PCSO Recruit Assessment Centre, details of which can be found on the College of Policing’s website.
For more information, download the Qualification Handbook here:
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