Assumptions and pay data
- Police Staff Council handbook, Section 4: full pay and half pay rise with continuous service, from 1 month of full pay in the first year (plus 2 months of half pay once you have completed four months' service) to 6 months of each after 5 years. Paid sick leave in the 12 months before your absence starts is deducted. This is a minimum: some forces give more, and a few forces do not use Police Staff Council terms. Check your force.
- The calculator shows months, not pounds. The FAQ below converts the top rate for your band.
Sick Pay Entitlement Calculator
England & WalesPolice forceFramework from 1/9/2026
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Guide for Police Community Support Officer
This guide summarises occupational sick pay for Police Community Support Officer under Police pay (England & Wales) at Police. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is usually paid as part of occupational sick pay, not on top of it.
Sick pay for Police Community Support Officer
As Police Community Support Officer at Police, occupational sick pay usually follows Police Staff Council (police staff, including PCSOs). With around five years' continuous service, illustrative entitlement might be up to 6 months on full pay and 6 months on half pay in a rolling period. Self-certification is often allowed for the first seven days; a fit note is commonly required after that.
Fit notes and rolling periods
Self-certification is often allowed for the first seven days. Some employers use a rolling period (for example four years) that limits how much full and half pay you can use. Check your policy for qualifying service and evidence requirements.
Example scenario
Example at 5 years' service: 6 months' full pay and 6 months' half pay, the Police Staff Council scale
| Sector terms (example) | Police Staff Council (police staff, including PCSOs) |
|---|---|
| Years of service (example) | 5 |
| Full pay months (example) | 6 |
| Half pay months (example) | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
How much sick pay do PCSOs get?
Under the Police Staff Council handbook (Section 4 para 1.2), 1 month's full pay and 2 months' half pay in your first year, 2 months of each in your second year, 4 months of each in your third year, 5 months of each in your fourth and fifth years and 6 months of each after 5 years. Some forces give more.
Why is it different from police officers?
Officers get 6 months' full pay and 6 months' half pay from their first day under Police Regulations (Annex K). PCSOs are police staff, so their sick pay builds up with service instead.
What happens in my first four months?
You can get 1 month's full pay from the start. The 2 months' half pay apply once you have completed four months' service.
How does the 12-month look-back work?
When an absence starts, paid sick leave in the previous 12 months is deducted from your entitlement. With 5 years' service and 2 months on full pay in that time, you would have up to 4 months on full pay left, then 6 months on half pay.
What is 6 months' full pay in pounds for a Police Community Support Officer?
The calculator shows months, not pounds. You reach 6 months of each after 5 years. As a guide, at £26,910, the bottom of our illustrative PCSO range, 6 months on full pay is about £13,455 and 6 months on half pay about £6,728, before tax and pension. On a higher salary, scale it up.
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About this role
What is a Police Community Support Officer?
A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) supports policing with a visible presence and community contact. They do not have full constable powers. Pay is on PCSO scales.
Typical demands, progression and balance
PCSO roles offer community contact and variety. Pay and conditions depend on force. Some progress to constable or other roles.
What sick pay am I entitled to?
Contractual sick pay usually depends on length of service. Use the calculator above to see full pay and half pay periods for your sector. Always check your employer's policy and fit-note requirements.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not legal or HR advice. Your contract and your employer's policy decide your actual entitlement.