Community Service Officer

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A Community Service Officer (CSO), under general supervision, provides technical police services in crime prevention, crime investigation, and crime response which do not require full police powers, assists police officers in the maintenance of law and order, and performs related duties as required.

As a technical classification in a Police Department, a CSO is characterized by the responsibility to provide support to police activities in patrol, traffic, investigations, dispatch, and community relations sections.

Most Community Service Officer positions are non-sworn positions and department specific, to meet the needs of the department and the community. A CSO may or may not have specialized training through the local police academy.

The current climate of larger police agencies are commonly constrained to budgetary concerns and the need to serve a larger or growing community, the position of the CSO is considered to be a blessing for both departments and communities.

The CSO is able to perform the basic duties without the cost of utilizing a sworn police officer.

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