By Eric King-
Ex-police officers and veterans are being hired on zero hours contracts to replace PCSOs guarding crime scenes
The unusual move from Norfolk Constabulary is the first of its kind in the Uk since the force scrapped the role of community support officers last year.
Police constables traditionally have no more power than ordinary civilians when it comes to guarding crime scenes. The move is to free up warranted police officers for other duties, who would otherwise spend hours standing at crime scene seals. Norfolk Constabulary describe the role as “an alternative reserve style model” which will “alleviate the particular demand around cordons on front line officers”.
The job post states the main activities of the role include; “preserving crime scene integrity” and “deal with enquiries from public and media”. Guards will also be expected to run a scene log and record details of any witnesses who come forward. Desirable criteria includes “experience of working with confidential and sensitive information” and “experience of working in a police environment or similar”.
Chief constable Simon Bailey said:
“It will be on zero hours contracts, which will save the force money.
“I do have a fear these people are not beholden, so when they pick up the phone they could just say, ‘no thanks’.
“The PCSOs were employed by the force so we had that resource there.”
According to the job advertisement, the main activities of the role include; “preserving crime scene integrity” and “deal with enquiries from public and media
He added: “We are supportive because it releases officers to do police work. With austerity, standing at a cordon is a luxury we can’t afford.” Simon Bailey said the scene guards will be “coming on line very soon”.
“A number of those [that have applied] are ex-cops, and a number are ex-services,” he said.
“That will take some pressure off our police officers.”