What Are Local Policing Teams?

Your local policing team is made up of local policing officers, community support officers and special constables who work with the community to improve your neighbourhood. There are more than 140 local policing areas in West Mercia.

As part of our policing pledge , we will ensure that your local policing team spends at least 80 per cent of their time visibly working in your area.

Read on to find out more about their roles.

Local Policing Officer

Your local policing officer leads the team. They are supported by response officers who ensure that your neighbourhood is policed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They are accessible to the community, helping to identify local priorities and working with partners and residents to tackle the issues that have been raised.

Community Support Officers (CSOs)

CSOs are members of police staff who carry out a range of activities to support regular police officers. With their distinctive uniform, their main role is to undertake high visibility patrols out in the community. By taking the time to talk to people and getting to know their local area, they are 'eyes and ears' of the community.

CSOs are trained to calm heated situations and defuse hostility, but are not expected to deal with violent incidents, including arrests, and have radio access so they can call for assistance if necessary. In addition to their patrol, day to day activities includes dealing with minor offences, offering early interventions to deter people from committing offences, providing crime prevention advice, gathering evidence through observation or conducting house to house enquiries.

Special Constables

Special constables are volunteers who carry out a variety of roles alongside regular officers to help police their communities. They have the same powers as regular police officers (e.g. being able to arrest), wear a similar uniform and face the same challenges, but the role is a part-time one - a minimum of four hours each week, normally at weekends or evenings.

Specials form an important part of local policing teams and carry out a whole range of policing duties, including foot patrols, road safety initiatives and house to house enquiries.

If you think you might be interested in joining the Special Constabulary, visit the recruitment section of our website.