Introduction:

The Community Service Officer Program is an operational arm of the University Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit and is made up of approximately twenty-five student employees. As both a student and a member of the California State University Police Department, the Community Service Officer (CSO) the capable of performing a wide range of public services.

History:

The Community Service Officer Program was founded at CSUF in March of 1989. The program initially employed roughly fifteen student employees, to perform basic public services to the campus community. Since the program's inception, hundreds of CSUF students have worked in the CSO program, some becoming police officers at the local, state, and federal levels after leaving CSUF. Law enforcement goals are not and have never been requirements for working with the CSO program; Community Service Officers have represented the wide range of majors from the many colleges on the CSUF campus, and have gone on to an even wider range of professions, including accounting, advertising, and law, health care, teaching, and the arts.

What does a CSO do?

The primary duty of the CSO is to act as the “eyes and ears” of the University Police Department. The CSOs patrol using a variety of methods, including marked vehicle patrol, bike patrol, and foot patrol, among others. Beyond patrol, CSOs perform escorts, traffic control, loss prevention, report writing, and secure and unlock the campus. CSOs also assist in locating lost vehicles, performing cable assists (jump starts), and recovering lost property.

What does a CSO look like?

While the CSO program is a reflection of the diversity and variety of the student population and the campus community, the uniforms for the CSO program have been standardized. The primary uniform of a CSO is a yellow polo-style shirt, with the California State University Police Badge embroidered on the front, and the words "Community Service Officer" in blue lettering on the back. The uniform for a senior CSO is a light blue uniform with California State University Police patches and a CSO badge.

During the cold or rainy season, CSOs may wear a yellow jacket with the words "Community Service Officer" in blue lettering on the back of the jacket.

How do I get an escort?

If you have an illness or injury that prevents you from reaching your class, vehicle, or dorm, or are concerned for your safety, a CSO may provide you with an escort. To request an escort, all you have to do is pick up any campus phone and dial ext. 2515 (or 714 - 278 - 2515 if calling from an outside line). If necessary, you may use any emergency blue pole on campus. The dispatcher will confirm your location and may ask your name or description of your clothing. This will allow us to locate you more quickly on a busy campus. A CSO will then be sent to meet you.

How can I get my classroom or office door opened?

If you are a faculty member, and need a classroom or lecture hall unlocked for a class, or your office door to be opened, call ext. 2515 and give the dispatcher the number of the room. You will be asked to present a faculty TitanCard for the CSO to open an office door.

If you are a student, and have a room reserved, you will need to have the room permit (may also be called an after-hours permit, a room request, or a room authorization form) and your TitanCard or government issued identification card, and call ext. 2515, giving the dispatcher the number of the room, your name, and whether you have your room permit and ID ready.

NOTE: Students not possessing both a room permit and ID will not be given access to the room. Moreover, students occupying a room after-hours may be asked to present a valid permit and ID by any member of the University Police Department, and will be asked to leave if not in possession of both the permit and the ID.

Can I get my car jump-started?

If you reach your vehicle and find that your battery is drained, a CSO or a Parking Officer may be able to perform a cable assist. To get a jump start, call ext. 2515 from any campus phone, call (714) 278-2515 from any outside line, or, if necessary, use any emergency blue pole (or emergency phone box in the parking structures) on campus. The dispatcher will confirm your vehicle's location and the description of the vehicle. The CSO or Parking Officer will be sent to meet you and assist with your vehicle.

Unfortunately, due to liability reasons, a cable assist cannot be performed for locations off-campus or on streets surrounding the campus.

How can I become a Community Service Officer?

If you are interested in becoming a Community Service Officer, are a currently enrolled student of CSUF, and maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, you may be able to become a CSO. To get an application, stop by the CSUF University Police Department and pick one up from the front counter. If you have questions, you may call the Community Services Office at (714) 278 - 5533 to speak directly to a supervisor or to leave a message.

View our current Hiring Notice for the CSO Program!