PCSOs can use "reasonable force" in certain circumstances. What legislation tells you clearly when "reasonable force" can be used?

1.   ?    s59 Police Reform Act 2002
2.   ?    s117 PACE 1984
3.   ?    S25 PACE 1984
4.   ?    S3(1) Criminal Law Act 1967

All actions by a police officer or PCSO must comply with P.L.A.N. This requires our actions to be

1.   ?    Professional, Legible, Actionable, Needed
2.   ?    Police-Led, Available and New
3.   ?    "Please Leave Area Now!"
4.   ?    Proportionate, Legal, Accountable & Necessary

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has the largest number of officers in the UK. How many PCSOs work in the Met?

1.   ?    1050
2.   ?    1770
3.   ?    1290
4.   ?    770

What 'designated powers' do PCSOs have if deployed in plain clothes or on covert duties?

1.   ?    none - this is not a primary PCSO role
2.   ?    all powers (wearing of uniform is irrelevant)
3.   ?    certain powers, subject to proper briefing
4.   ?    power to detain under s44 Terrorism Act only

In some circumstances, PCSOs can make use of Any Person "Citizen's Arrest" powers. If PCSOs make an arrest, what is their official status during this action?

1.   ?    same as a police officer - they're arresting a criminal
2.   ?    same as a PC, as long as they are only arresting a person who HAS or IS committing an arrestable offence (s24 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984)
3.   ?    PCSOs can only make use of the s25 PACE General Arrest Conditions
4.   ?    PCSOs making arrests have NO "official" status at all, and are acting only as "ordinary members of the public".

WHO is responsible for Risk Assessing the various work carried out operationally by PCSOs?

1.   ?    Chief Officer or nominated representative
2.   ?    My inspector or sergeant
3.   ?    The individual PCSO
4.   ?    all persons listed here

Some PCSOs drive marked police vehicles with blue lights. When can a PCSO driver use blue lights?

1.   ?    only if responding to emergency calls, to get through the traffic quickly;
2.   ?    only if a colleague has called up for Urgent Assistance
3.   ?    only when stationary, to indicate either a static hazard or Rendezvous Point (RVP) at an incident;
4.   ?    PCSOs can never use the blue light - that's only for a police officer to operate

Police officers can use their various statutory powers when outside of their Force area - is this the same for PCSOs?

1.   ?    Yes - if required to act anywhere in the UK, PCSOs can make use of any relevant power, as if they were on duty at the time;
2.   ?    No - (apart from Any Person powers of arrest) PCSOs only have designated powers within their home Force area, and then only when on duty in uniform;
3.   ?    Yes, like Special Constables - PCSOs can make use of relevant powers in their own Force area OR neighbouring "contiguous" Force areas;
4.   ?    No, at any location outside their Force area PCSOs can ONLY use a power if accompanied by a police officer in uniform

Whilst on patrol as a PCSO, a member of the public tells you and your PCSO colleague that a youth, sitting at the bus stop on the other side of the road, has a concealed knife in their jacket. A young mum with children is nearby.

Do you:-

1.   ?    ..intervene for their safety, using your powers to search the youth for the knife under s1 PACE and complete a 5090?
2.   ?    ..both detain the youth using your detention powers, and request a police unit to attend?
3.   ?    ..observe and report via radio, maintaining a safe distance from the youth?
4.   ?    ..ask the mum and her children to come over to you to remove them from potential danger, whilst radioing for a police unit to assist?

Whilst on your beat, a call comes over the radio to a violent shoplifter being detained by staff in the shopping centre, requesting any available unit to deal. There are no police officer units nearby. You are round the corner. Do you:-

1.   ?    ..go to the scene, find out what is happening and make a citizen's arrest?
2.   ?    ..go to the scene, stay outside but "observe and report" from a safe distance until a police unit becomes available?
3.   ?    ..not take the call - you're not an investigator and you've been told not to intervene in stuff like this;
4.   ?    ..walk back to the station - this sounds a bit too dangerous!