From PCSO to PC: new title, same patch for town centre bobbies

Sarah Kelk and Ernest Mpundu, who served as PCSOs for 12 and 14 years respectively, decided earlier this year to make the jump and apply to be police officers.

South Yorkshire Police said they were the first two ex-PCSOs in the county to rejoin the same communities they previously worked in.

PC Mpundu said: “We’ve both been in our neighbourhoods for a long time and it sounds cheesy, but you become attached. 

“You know the background, you know the people, and you know the problems.”

PC Kelk said that she spoke to vulnerable people every day and had learned the repeat offenders’ names by heart.

“After a while, it all becomes frustrating when you can’t help someone enough to break a destructive cycle, or get them the support they desperately need because you simply don’t have the power,” she said.

“Now I’ve become a PC, I’m most looking forward to being able to see jobs through to the end, without having to refer them on.

“Being a constable gives me the ability to do something differently so that once I solve a problem, it doesn’t come back.”

Both student officers described being able to return to their familiar neighbourhoods in their new roles as “the best feeling in the world”.

Chief Insp Paul Ferguson said: “With a combined service of 26 years, I’m thrilled to have PC Kelk and PC Mpundu back with us in Rotherham. 

“The level of knowledge and experience they have is invaluable and they are a real asset to both their neighbourhoods.”

The two new officers have both completed 16 weeks of intensive training and will now embark on ten weeks of tutoring.

PC Kelk rejoins the Rotherham South team, based at Maltby station, and PC Mpundu has returned to the ranks of Rotherham Central, which is based at Riverside House.

SYP is currently undertaking its biggest recruitment drive since 2008 and appealed for any would-be cops to check out their jobs website.