Community Policing Bureau - Garden Grove

The Community Service Officer program was established in order to allow patrol officers to direct their efforts towardsuppression of criminal activities. Community Service Officers (CSOs) are both part-time and full-time civilian employeeswho perform many duties that were once handled by sworn officers. These highly trained individuals are invaluable to theDepartment and the community, as the work they do allows sworn officers to spend more time on proactive policing efforts.Typical duties of a Community Service Officer vary depending upon the assignment. Assignments can include the followingspecialized areas:Ordinance Coordinator: responsible for administering the Alarm Ordinance and working with residents andbusinesses regarding violations and alarm fees; also solely responsible for the cost recovery program.Check Investigations /Fraud: work closely with detectives to develop leads, conduct follow-up investigationsand pursue complaints against suspects. The ability to write reports sufficient to obtain complaints throughthe District Attorney’s office is essential.Court Liaison: work closely with the District Attorney and Public Defender’s offices to file complaints, deliversubpoenas, maintain calendars and logs and notify officers of court appearances.Crime Prevention: speak to community groups about crime prevention topics, work with police volunteers,and assist sworn officers with preventative policing efforts.Field Report Writers: work side by side with police officers to investigate and document crimes that haveoccurred, once officers have secured the scene. In 2011, Field CSOs completed reports and/or collectedevidence for 3,100 cases.Front Desk Officer: report writing, vehicle releases, fingerprinting, and a myriad of other duties; Take coldcrime reports, answer questions, release reports and, make referrals for the public who come to the policedepartment.In-Car Video System (IVS): Maintain files and perform basic maintenance and repairs on the new, all-digitalin-car video recording system.Investigative Aides: assist Investigators with initial and follow up investigation of criminal cases, keepinvestigative notes, contact crime victims, witnesses, and others involved in these cases, and other duties asassigned.Property and Evidence: organize, process, and record the intake and release of property and evidence.Vehicle Abatement: work with the Neighborhood Traffic Unit to abate abandoned and illegally stored vehicleswithin the city limits.