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Following my recent "Meet the Team" events, which were clearly advertised as being attended by me, PCSO 6517, I have unfortunately experienced a number of discourteous comments from individuals who have approached only to state, "I want a police officer" or "You're useless". On one occasion, this was even from a former police officer. While I fully appreciate that members of the public may wish to speak to a warranted officer regarding specific matters, it is disappointing that some feel it is acceptable to treat PCSOs with such disrespect. PCSOs play a vital role in neighbourhood policing, community engagement, problem-solving and crime prevention, and deserve the same basic courtesy and respect afforded to anyone serving their community. It is unfortunate that, for a small minority, good manners and an understanding of the policing family appear to be lacking. Constructive discussion is always welcome; rudeness and personal insults are not. You may not always be speaking to the person you expected, but PCSOs work hard every day to support communities, tackle local issues and help keep people safe. A little courtesy goes a long way.
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