The Community Service Officer (CSO) unit is an integral part of the Boise Police Department Patrol Division. CSO's are uniformed professional staff employees trained and experienced in Crime Scene Investigation and criminal report writing.
Community Service Officers
What do CSO's Do?
Members of the CSO unit respond to a wide variety of calls for service in the field (burglary, theft, fraud, graffiti, lost/found property, etc). Additionally, CSO's respond to high priority calls for service at patrol's request for basic crime scene investigation. These types of crimes include death investigations, domestic/aggravated batter, robbery, sexual assault, crash investigations, and many more. The CSO unit specializes in evidence collection, crime scene photography, fingerprinting, and much more.
About CSO's
As a unit, we pride ourselves on our community engagement. Each day, we strive to provide the best service possible to the citizens of Boise. We are dedicated To Protect, Serve, and Lead our Community to a Safer Tomorrow. Additionally, we strongly believe in career development toward sworn or nonsworn opportunities for the members of our team. Join us in our goal to serve our Boise community!
Ancillary Duty Opportunities
- Drone Operation
- Crash Reconstruction
- Field Training Officer
- Peer Support Team
- Community Engagement Events
- Special Events Support
Criminal Investigations Division (CID) CSO
Our CSO's within the Criminal Investigations Division work in collaboration with detectives from the violent crimes, financial crimes, property crimes, and special victims' units. CID CSO's specialize in in-depth criminal investigations, are certified in digital and mobile forensics, assist with search warrant services, as well as evidence collection and processing. The CID CSO's are an integral part of the unit and assist detectives with all aspects of their cases from start to finish.
Interested in learning more? Request a ride along with a CSO!
FAQ
Q: Do CSOs wear uniforms?
A: Yes. Our CSOs wear designated uniforms including a duty belt and body armor.
Q: What kind of equipment do CSOs use?
A: CSOs are provided with a police radio, OC, body cameras, flashlight, fingerprinting equipment, a DSLR camera and a vehicle MDC to send and receive secure digital communications with dispatch and other law enforcement database systems.
Q: What are the general job duties does of a CSO?
A: CSOs work as a part of a patrol team and provide a wide variety of services assisting citizens needing to report non-emergency crimes as well as assisting officers needing evidence collection and other CSI duties. Some of the non-emergency call types CSOs can handle include burglaries, fraud, petit theft, grand theft, lost/found property, vandalisms, graffiti, and basic crime scene investigation to include evidence collection, fingerprinting and photography. Typical crime scenes CSOs respond to include death investigations, domestic battery, robbery, sexual assault, and crash investigations just to name a few.
CSOs assigned to the detectives’ division (CID) assist in the financial crimes, property crimes, violent crimes, and special victim’s units. CID CSOs receive certification in digital and mobile forensics, assist on search warrants, and provide evidence collection and processing.
Q: What shifts do CSOs work?
A: CSOs are an essential unit in patrol providing coverage 7 days a week. The shifts available are days, swings, and modified nights. CSOs also work holidays at the holiday premium rate. Shift differential pay is available for those who work swing and modified night hours. Overtime opportunities are also available.
Q: What does the hiring process look like?
A: The hiring process includes an interview, a written assessment, a background check, and a polygraph.
Q: What are the minimum qualifications to be a CSO?
A: Two years’ experience working with the public, in security or a related field, and a high school diploma or GED. Valid state-issued driver's license.
Applicants must be able to pass:
- City of Boise background check processes which include a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
- Driving Record Check
- Polygraph Exam
- Criminal Justice Information System Background Check (CJIS)
*See job posting for a complete list of required and preferred experience
Q: What would disqualify me from being a CSO?
A: Applicants MUST NOT:
- Have used marijuana within the past one (1) year
- Have used other controlled substances within the past five (5) years
- Have any felony convictions over the age of 18
- Have received any DUIs in the last two (2) years
- Have received two (2) DUIs in the last five (5) years or
- Have received more than five (5) traffic violations in the last three (3) years
Q: How long does the training take to be a CSO?
A: Upon hire, CSOs attend a 4-week in-house academy comprised of classroom instruction. At the completion of the academy, CSO will then transition to field training with a CSO instructor for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Q: What kind of vehicles to CSOs drive?
A: The CSO fleet consists of Ford 150s equipped with an MDC police radio and light bar with amber and white lights.
Q: Can I do a ride-along with a CSO?
A: Yes! CSOs can take candidates on a ride-along. Click here to fill out a ride-along request. Please specify you’d like to ride with a CSO.
Q: Can I talk to a recruiter about the CSO position?
A: Yes! Click here https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/police/join-bpd/talk-to-a-recruiter/to request to speak to someone about the CSO Unit.
Q: What benefits are offered working for the Boise Police Department?
A: Healthcare- ZERO premium medical coverage for you and your family:
- Low-cost dental and vision options.
- Post-employment health savings account.
Retirement and Investment Plans:
- PERSI retirement benefits
- 401(k) or 457b pre-tax investment options with employer match.
- 457b Roth after-tax investment options with no match
WellBeing Program:
- Up to $500 cash per year for participants.
- Alternative transportation incentives.
Paid Leave – City employees receive generous paid leave:
- 10 hours of vacation per month, and this increases the longer you stay with the City
- 12 paid holidays every year
- 8 hours of sick leave per month
- Ten weeks of Parental Leave
Life & Long-Term Disability:
- Basic Life insurance at no cost to you
- Long Term Disability insurance at no cost to you
Other optional benefits:
- Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Supplemental Disability Insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Free local bus pass
- Corporate discount programs
- AFLAC
- Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling on work, family, finances, and personal issues.
Please visit our website for further details: mybenefits.cityofboise.org
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