PCSO's are different from regular police officers. Community Policing brings police and citizens together to prevent crime and solve neighborhood problems. With community policing, the emphasis is on stopping crime before it happens, not responding to calls for service after the crime occurs.
<u>Advantage of this</u>: Community policing is seen as an effective way to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life in a community. PCSO's interact more with the community and are there on a regular basis. Normal police officers instead respond to calls if a crime occurs.
<u>Disadvantage of this</u>: The only way that community policing is with community involvement. There must be an established partnership between the police officers and the community. Without the trust and involvement of the community, any attempts at community policing will fail.
