What do civil enforcement officers do?

15 June 2009

You see the guys and girls in their very noticeable uniforms walking the streets every day. You know they check vehicles and put fines on illegally parked vehicles. So that is what they do all day? Now you are likely to see civil enforcement officers out and about, who enforce parking regulations.

These officers have the authority to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) and in Northern Ireland, these officers are called Traffic Attendants.

Walking the beat

The men and woman who carry out civil enforcement jobs are on their feet all day. They literally patrol the streets to make sure people do not park dangerously or obstruct other vehicles and pedestrians. This is a very necessary job in our modern society with millions of commuters moving in and out of the major cities each day. It is true that the UK is a land of rules and regulations.

There are good reasons for this as this is a country with minimal vacant space. People generally dislike it when they are fined for transgressing traffic laws, yet without these civil enforcement officers patrolling, things would soon get out of hand.

The officers are out on the streets every day and they do their job in all weather, it does not matter if it rains or the temperatures are freezing. They accept that inclement weather is simply part of the job they chose to do – which is one vital to the smooth running of our streets.

BPA

Member of the British Parking Association

REO

Member of the REC