Job Introduction
Transferee Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
Continue Your Policing Career with British Transport Police
At British Transport Police (BTP), our PCSOs play a vital role in keeping millions of passengers, railway staff and communities safe every day.
We are recruiting substantive Police Community Support Officers from Home Office police forces who are looking for a fresh challenge while continuing their policing career. Join Britain's national railway police force and bring your valuable frontline experience to a unique policing environment that spans England, Wales and Scotland.
We recognise the skills, knowledge and experience that transferees bring and are committed to making your move to BTP as seamless as possible.
Superintendent David Rams said:
"Our Police Community Support Officers are an integral part of the British Transport Police family. They carry out vital work across the railway network, providing reassurance, protecting vulnerable people and helping keep passengers and staff safe. We are proud of the contribution our PCSOs make every day across England, Wales and Scotland."
Why Transfer to British Transport Police?
- Work in a unique national policing environment
- Police critical transport infrastructure used by millions of people every day
- Bring your existing skills and experience into a specialist policing role
- Access ongoing learning and development opportunities
- Benefit from clear career progression pathways
- Apply for internal Police Constable recruitment opportunities
- Have your current salary matched against BTP pay scales wherever possible
- Have previous service recognised when determining annual leave entitlement
- Join a supportive and inclusiveforce that values your experience
Is This Role for You?
Are you a serving PCSO looking for a new challenge?
British Transport Police is responsible for policing the railways across Great Britain. Every day we police busy city stations, rural routes, major transport hubs and critical national infrastructure, creating a policing environment unlike any other.
We're looking for experienced PCSOs who are passionate about community engagement, public service and making a difference. In return, you'll have the opportunity to develop new skills, work in a dynamic operational environment and join a force that recognises the value of the experience you already bring.
We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
The Role
Like PCSOs in Home Office forces, BTP PCSOs provide visible reassurance, engage with communities and help tackle issues affecting public safety. In addition, they operate within the unique railway environment and enforce BTP Byelaws.
Responsibilities include:
- Conducting high-visibility patrols at stations and across the rail network
- Supporting victims and safeguarding vulnerable people
- Tackling anti-social behaviour and low-level criminality
- Assisting with investigations and gathering intelligence
- Managing security risks and supporting counter-terrorism operations
- Building relationships with passengers, rail staff and partner agencies
- Working alongside Police Officers to keep passengers and staff safe
Unlike many Home Office forces, BTP PCSOs receive personal safety training and are equipped with handcuffs to support their operational responsibilities.
This is a frontline role requiring resilience, sound judgement, strong communication skills and a genuine commitment to public service.
You must be willing to work shifts, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Locations
This is a nationwide opportunity, with vacancies available across England and Wales.
Applicants will be asked to indicate their preferred locations during the recruitment process. Appointments will be made taking account of both operational requirements and candidate preferences wherever possible.
Opportunities may exist at major city stations, regional rail hubs and key transport locations across the railway network.
Pay, Annual Leave and Benefits
Salary Recognition for Transferees
We appreciate the experience that serving PCSOs bring to British Transport Police.
When you join BTP, your current salary will be assessed against our Police Staff pay structure and matched to the most appropriate pay point wherever possible.
Annual Leave Recognition
Your previous police service will be considered when determining your annual leave entitlement.
Police Staff annual leave entitlement is:
- 28 days annual leave during your first five years of service
- 30 days annual leave after five years of service
Where applicable, eligible previous police service may be recognised when calculating your annual leave entitlement.
Base Salary
- £29,483.96 per annum
Additional Payments
Inner London
- London Allowance: £4,775.00
- Shift Allowance: 15% to 20% depending on shift pattern
Outer London
- Shift Allowance: 15% to 20% depending on shift pattern
Nationwide Locations
- Shift Allowance: 15% to 20% depending on shift pattern
Additional Benefits
- Travel benefits
- Learning and development opportunities
- Access to internal career progression routes
- Competitive pension scheme
What You'll Bring With You
As a serving PCSO, you've already developed valuable frontline policing skills and experience.
When you transfer to BTP, you will:
- Bring your established community engagement experience into a national specialist force
- Continue building your operational skills in a unique railway environment
- Receive training focused on railway policing and BTP Byelaws
- Have your current salary assessed against BTP pay scales
- Have your previous service considered for annual leave entitlement
What We're Looking For
You must:
- Be a substantive serving PCSO
- Have successfully completed your probationary period
- Demonstrate experience in frontline operational duties and community engagement
- Be confident, professional and approachable
- Display high levels of integrity, professionalism and personal accountability
- Be committed to building public trust and confidence in policing
Eligibility
You will not be eligible to apply if:
- You are not currently serving as a substantive PCSO
- You have been unsuccessful in a BTP PCSO, Student Officer or Special Constable recruitment process within the last 3 months
- You have failed BTP vetting within the previous 24 months
- You have received a custodial sentence
- You have been dismissed from a police force or are subject to a live misconduct investigation
- You have unmanaged financial issues, including bankruptcy or County Court Judgements (CCJs)
- You have tattoos that are considered offensive or incompatible with the role
- You do not have the right to work in the United Kingdom
- You have not lived continuously in the UK for the previous three years
Pension
BTP offers the GPP Police Staff Pension Scheme, administered by Royal London.
Employees can contribute between 4.4% and 12% of salary. Existing members of the Railway Pension Scheme will not be affected.
For further information, contact:
How to Apply
Apply today and bring your experience to Britain's railway police force.
As part of the recruitment process, applicants will complete an Application Question, Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and an Ethics Situational Judgement Test (ESJT). If unsuccessful, reapplication restrictions may apply.
Following this, should you be successful, you would be invited to attend our Assessment Centre. If you are successful here, a conditional offer would be issued, successful candidates may be held within a recruitment pool for up to 12 months while suitable postings are identified.
We strongly recommend attending one of our recruitment Q&A sessions before applying.
For confidential advice or questions about the role, contact:
Join Us
Every day, British Transport Police officers and staff protect passengers, railway employees and communities across Great Britain.
Join British Transport Police as a Transferee PCSO and continue your policing career in a force that values your experience, recognises your service and offers a unique opportunity to protect Britain's rail network.
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