 Community Support Officers could be on the way to Derbyshire |
A new kind of policing could come to Derbyshire in the fight against illegal parking, unruly behaviour and graffiti. The county is one of the last forces to apply for government funding to employ community support officers.
They will give a visible policing presence, keep an eye on youths misbehaving and offer crime prevention advice.
A bid for 80 of these officers has been made to the Home Office by Derbyshire Police Authority.
'Free up time'
The uniformed civilians work alongside the police to deal with low-level offences.
It is also hoped police officers' time will be freed up to deal with more serious crimes.
If the application for government funding is successful, the officers could be in post by March 2005.
A community support officer is employed, but does not have the full range of police powers.
A special police officer is unpaid, but wears a police uniform and has the powers of a regular officer.
Derbyshire is one of only four forces that does not have community support officers.
One-Minute World News 
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