What is a community support officer?

We strive to build strong, safe and active communities by targeting crime and anti-social behaviour.

What attracted you to the job?

I retired from the fire service in 2004. I loved the job because I was serving my local community and helping people.

After I left I took a few months to chill out, but I didn't want to stop working.

I wanted to continue to help in the community, and this gives me the ideal opportunity to do just that.

What does the job involve?

Our role is to provide a visible presence on foot and bike in designated areas of East Dunbartonshire.

We report crime as well as graffiti, litter and abandoned vehicles to the police. We support vulnerable residents.

We also visit schools on a regular basis and take classes on visits to police and fire stations to let them see what is happening in their community.

Our aim is to create public reassurance and try and prevent anti-social behaviour and deter people from crime.

Is every day different?

Yes. A day shift is 9am-5pm or a back shift is 2-10pm, Tuesday to Saturday. I'm currently based in Auchinairn.

Each day we have a team brief and our supervisor keeps us up-to-date of what's going on or any issues that have come up that we have to tackle.

We try to engage with as many people as possible and let them know that we are there.

For our role to be successful we have to communicate with and get to know the residents.

Similar to what my role was in the fire service, the job is very varied.

What do you most enjoy?

Helping people is very satisfying as well as being out and about in the fresh air.

How big an impact do CSO's have on the community?

I think we are having an affect. More often than not we are always getting positive feedback. We don't have the same powers of the police, but we are their eyes and ears.

We work in partnership with the police and other organisations to try and make a difference.

What hobbies do you have?

I'm a football referee for local amateur teams which I've been doing for many years.

I enjoy cycling, fishing and walking my dog, a German Short haired Pointer.

Getting to know you

First car: Ford Escort Estate

First record: Paranoid by Black Sabbath

Book currently reading: No Ordinary Joe by Joe Calzaghe

Favourite TV programme: Antiques Roadshow

Favourite holiday destination: Dubai

Famous person most like to meet: Lance Armstrong