Lakewood Police Department
Policy and Procedure
Community Service Officer Program 		Effective Date: 12/17/18
Policy Number: PP-9300 - Community Service Officer Program
 
  1. Policy

    The deployment of Community Service Officers (CSO) within the patrol function are designed to relieve police agents of some of the more minor and routine tasks that can more effectively and economically be handled by civilian employees.  Thus, freeing up police agents to deal with higher priority tasks and criminal activities more commensurate with their training and expertise. 
  2. Procedure
    1. Community Service Officers are authorized to and responsible for:
      1. Cold Felony / Misdemeanor Property Crimes Reporting with no suspect information to include motor vehicle thefts, first degree criminal trespass and burglaries.
      2. Basic Crime Scene Investigation Activities
      3. Found Property recovery and booking
      4. Minor, non-injury traffic accidents, traffic control
      5. Intoxylizer Operation
      6. Fingerprinting/Live Scan Operation
      7. Parking complaints/violations 
      8. Abandoned vehicles (both marking and towing)
      9. Other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Police or designee
    2. CSO's are under the direct supervision and direction of a patrol sergeant. 
    3. CSO's shall wear the prescribed uniform when on-duty and follow policy and procedure as outlined within this manual. 
    4. CSO's are authorized by city ordinance, Section 10.65.195, Authority of Police Community Service Officers, that sets forth the authority to order the towing of vehicles, issue parking summons, and enforce any other traffic provisions of the municipal code as authorized by the Chief of Police. 
    5. CSO's are authorized to be issued, carry, and trained in the use of Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray. 
    6. CSO's are authorized to be issued, carry, and trained to use the department Taser devices under the following guidelines. 
      1. To defend him/herself from what the CSO reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of physical force against the CSO when a lesser degree of force would be inadequate. 
      2. To safely control a dangerous animal who poses a threat of injury to police, animal control officers, citizens, or domestic animals when a lesser degree of force is inadequate. 
      3. CSO's will follow all applicable guidelines found in this manual regarding the care, use, documentation, training, and supervisory notifications for Taser deployment. 
  3. Rule
    1. Community Service Officers are civilian employees and are not sworn police agents.  As such, Community Service Officers shall not engage in traffic stops, emergency driving, make physical arrests or transport prisoners.
    2. Community Service Officers shall notify dispatch of any criminal activity they come upon and request the aid of a police agent.  

PP-9350 - CSO Vehicles