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PCSO Craig Beales is frustrated at a sudden change by the police which means people wanting to join need to have two A-levels
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PCSO's frustration at police qualification changes

By Jon Nurse
February 15, 2013

An award-winning PCSO voiced his frustrations about police reforms after the route to his dream job was blocked just four days before he applied.

PCSO Craig Beales had hoped to become a police constable but applicants must now have at least two A-levels to join Thames Valley Police meaning, with just GCSEs, he does not qualify for the role.

The PCSO, who has served for four years and was commended for outstanding work, says the changes have denied him and more than 10 of his colleagues the chance to progress within the force.

“We don’t think it’s fair,” PCSO Beales said. “It’s a bit heartbreaking.

“When I was first looking into joining the police the consensus was you need experience. I’ve set about getting involved to now be told that’s not enough.

“Four days before they opened up for internal recruitment we were told we needed two A-levels.

“If they had told us three years previous we could have done something about it.”

Wokingham Neighbourhood Team Inspector Greg Elphick shares the PCSO’s frustration.

“People had understood it was the natural progression having been told by recruiting and human resources that what they were doing was a very good way to get into the force but now the goalposts have moved,” he said. “It seems a bit unfair. My frustration is there could have been a transitional period.”

PCSO Beales, 30, was commended last month for stepping in to catch conmen using counterfeit credit cards after spotting them at Tesco in Wokingham.

He is now studying a citizenship A-level in his spare time to work towards the qualifications needed to secure a post but says he doesn’t have time to study for another A-level on top of working.

PCSO Beales, of Woodley, who is based at Loddon Valley Police Station, added: “The words used are they will professionalise the police service which implies people who don’t have two A-levels aren’t professional.”

The requirement for two A-levels was recommended following a review of policing by lawyer Tom Winsor. Thames Valley Police adopted the policy last April.

Graham Smith, Thames Valley Police Federation chairman, said: “Police should take from all backgrounds and sections of the community. Artificial imposing of qualifications on their ability to join strips them of that.

“Two A-levels isn’t an especially high requirement when young people must stay in school until they are 18, but it is a barrier to certain sections of society.

“Policing skills are about communication, strength of character and moral courage and they are just as equal as two A-levels.

“We will have to see what happens in the future.”

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I can't see a problem. Sign u8p at your local college and take A levels in2 subjects. Try and make them subjects applicable to the police force.

William Richards
19/02/2013 at 19:33

Hi Damiano

I would ask what i have said that is unfair. This is a man who has been caught out by a system that has not been thought through and has fell foul of it. Unlike some on this blog who lay into the police system and tell us all how unfair it is, I offered a way, possibly one of many, that could help resolve the issue as i have been there myself.

If my boss said i need you to get an A-Level in media and Beckham studies then i could either go out and get them or be sacked. That is what i said. He is an intelligent able man and 2 A-Levels would not be difficult.

Sixth form students need 2 years of college attendance to obtain 2 A-Levels. On the face of it this is true but sixth form students do 2 or 3 lessons a week in the subjects and have an awful lot of time on their hands to do other things. It is possible to get a degree from the Open University in 3 years if you apply yourself to it. Even if you have a full time job.

Police pay conditions are a totally different subject.

parlovero, Earley
16/02/2013 at 08:17

Hi parlovero.

I think you're quite right in suggesting that anyone who feel strongly enough should petition their new Police and Crime Commissioner (which was supposed to be non-political, but clearly is - which is dangerous).

I still think you're being a touch unfair to the PCSO though. Imagine if you turn up for work tomorrow and your boss says "I need you to have an A-level in 'media studies' and 'David Beckham studies'"; why? You've been doing the job for long enough, making this change suddenly and for no valid reason is unfair. Also, sixth-form students need 2 years of college attendance to obtain 2 A-levels; it's not as simple as getting one tomorrow.

Add this to the fact that the starting pay for the police force has been reduced, and I wonder what the government is hoping to achieve. 'We'll pay you less, and demand that you're more qualified' - surely that will end up with a reduced uptake in the police force? And what good would that do us - other than opening the door for privatisation... A bit like the NHS, where staff numbers, staff wages and hospitals (sometimes, very good hospitals) are cut, leading to reduced services. Then the government brings in private firms. Or the fire service, where the government is cutting numbers and fire stations in massive numbers, possibly waiting for it to fail and then using that as an excuse to privatise.

This blue team... they push and they push, take and take... offer the working man 'some shares' in return for their legal working rights... it's shocking really that anyone ever votes for them.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
15/02/2013 at 16:04

#smiffy

Your views are irrelevant because whatever you or i say the police will not change their minds. Contrary to your assumption that i see this as black and white whilst you can see in shades of grey, i agree totally that it is not necessarily fair but there is no point whatsoever in bleating about unfairness in life as everything is unfair. People are being harshly treated by the new rules on disability pensions etc etc. However this man has an opportunity to do exactly what he wants to do if he is prepared to chase it. Lets face it 2 A-Levels are not that difficult to get.

As for your comment about this being particularly stupid by the police force. Why do you not petition the new police commissioner and his Tory party mates to get it changed. He's a politician and is well paid for his time so make him do something about it.

parlovero, Earley
15/02/2013 at 15:38

The answer ould well be to introduce an MVQ in policing. This would be awarded as the result of the training and service of a PCSO. If some extra training is required to make this the equivalent of the two required A-levels then that extra training should be identified and provided resulting in a second higher level of MVQ.

PoneRana, Wokingham
15/02/2013 at 14:15

parlovero - all of our views on any subject are irrelevant - they are just our personal opinions. The difference is that you see this is as a clear cut black and white issue, whilst myself and others see it as a grey issue, where people are being harshly treated by some new rules. If 4 years experience as a PCSO isn't at least seen as comparable with 2 A Levels then something is very wrong, which is sad and disappointing.

Smiffy, Reading
15/02/2013 at 11:53

The fact that the rules changed and whether that was right or wrong or whatever your views may be, they are irelevant. I have been in this situation and was proffering a way round it. He either gets the A-Levels, and i suggested a way to do this, or he gives up. If he gives up then he may not be the right man for the job. We can argue all we like on GR but at the end of the day he either does it or doesn't. If you wish to nit pick my comments feel free but please try to say something positive that will help not bemoan something you cannot change. I wish him luck, at least he has a job.

parlovero, Earley
15/02/2013 at 11:21

parlovero - surely PCSO to police officer is a natural progression? PCSO to fireman would be a change in direction, but not PCSO to Police Officer.

Re-reading the article it looks like he couldn't apply four days earlier as there was a date for internal applications. This therefore appears to be very harsh and particularly stupid by the police force.

Smiffy, Reading
15/02/2013 at 11:17

In careers such as policing, a public service where care, dedication and communication skills are vitally important, I'm generally against the 'professionalising' of it. I really dislike that word anyway for the reasons given in the article, implying that those already in the industry do not conduct themselves well enough.

We only have to look at how 'professionalising' the nursing industry has really not been particularly helpful. Different values, career progression and daily strains means that the priorities at times are not as initially intended (not a dig at nurses at all, just the handling (or 'progression') of the nursing profession by successive Governments).

alex_f, Wokingham
15/02/2013 at 11:04

parlovero,

"The PCSO, who has served for four years and was commended for outstanding work"... “Four days before they opened up for internal recruitment we were told we needed two A-levels.... “If they had told us three years previous we could have done something about it.”

The rules have changed, apparently four days before the PCSOs were able to apply for a job - and four years after this PCSO started preparing for the job. The PCSO is not changing direction, because for four years he has been working towards becoming a police officer. The system has let him, and us, down; this guy is now less likely to become a police officer, in spite of his experience and good reputation.

I really don't see the need for a police officer to have 2 A-levels. Especially in this case, where the PCSO has proven himself.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
15/02/2013 at 10:57

@parlovero - Have you not read the article, it says that the requirements changed 4 days before he was due to apply, after already serving 4 years as a PCSO?

As already has been said, you would have thought common sense and experience would be a huge advantage for TVP in their recruitment of new officers rather than additional educational qualifications.

The job really has changed in the last few years and, seemingly, not always for the better!

getonwithit
15/02/2013 at 10:53

#smiffy

This is very much a change of direction. He wants to join the police as an full police officer which he is not at the moment. If he really wants to proceed with his ambitions then he will have to play by the rules. I wish him well but only he can do it. As i said, giving up is not a good sign. Also to reiterate your point. Why did he not apply before the changes came in.

parlovero, Earley
15/02/2013 at 10:44

Agree that some form of common sense and transition period is required. On the other hand, unless this new policy came in overnight, could people not have applied before the new rule came in?

parlovero - this isn't a case of changing direction, this guy has a career and the route to the next level has been changed. Why should he have to invest so much time and money because someone thinks having a couple of A Levels is a good plan. Him doing a couple of A Levels won't actually impact the way he does his job, so the rule appears ridiculous if applied to people already working within the police. I can see how for new recruits and moving forward having the A Levels is a good plan, but it shouldn't be implemented to penalise loyal, hard working PCSO's.

Smiffy, Reading
15/02/2013 at 10:20

All he needs to do is go to any of the local adult education colleges and tell them the situation and they will guide him through to get his A-Levels. I had to change direction and needed 2 gcse's to get to university as a mature student. Reading Adult college supported me and i did the examinations through the Southern Examining Board as an external candidate. It will only take a year if he is a bright fellow and he can continue his career. Giving up is not a good sign.