Community Safety Officer

The Saanich Police Department operates under the direction of the Saanich Police Board, the civilian governing body responsible for selecting the Chief Constable and for providing oversight of our strategic plan, policy and finances. The department currently has 185 police positions, 60 civilian positions and 50 reserve constables. It is further broken down into six divisions with functions ranging from operations to administration, each under the command of an inspector reporting to the Office of the Chief Constable.

Our organization is further complemented by a range of volunteers, including our crime prevention students, those in our Block Watch and ACE programs, as well as our Reserve Constables who dedicate their time, energy and expertise in a variety of functions such as road safety, crime prevention and community engagement.

**OVERVIEW**:
Community Safety Officers (CSOs) fall under the operational command of the Patrol Division and hold the designation of sworn Special Municipal Constable. CSOs have the primary responsibility of assisting regular police members of the Saanich Police Department by completing low-level, low-risk, low-priority tasks, and assisting members with primarily non-investigative functions that do not require fully qualified or certified “regular” sworn police constables. On their own, CSOs can also complete proactive tasks within the approved guidelines of the position and assist with community and public events throughout Saanich.

**ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**General Duties**:

- Respond to and handle low-level, low-risk, low-priority tasks, where no suspect is on scene.
- Document Services - Service of subpoenas.
- Respond to and handle parking complaints and other low-risk bylaw complaints relating to streets, parks and land use, or where other Municipal bylaw enforcement staff are not available.
- Provide scene security at low risk scenes that need to remain under police control or where the alternative is to hire a security company.
- Collect lost & found property, complete reports and return property to legitimate owners when possible.
- Relieve one out of two Patrol officers standing by at a hospital, awaiting admission for low-risk, non-violent Mental Health Act apprehensions, as directed by a Patrol supervisor.
- Utilize PRIME as directed by a supervisor and/or as required to perform approved tasks of a CSO.
- Perform duties historically completed by “regular” sworn police constables assigned to the front desk excluding, the investigation of criminal files, engaging in response to a crime in progress or the security of apprehended person(s).
- Perform tasks related to Property Transfer, as directed by “regular” sworn police constables, including; pick-up and transfer of seized property or drugs collected for destruction and completing associated reports.
- Supplement police presence at family-oriented and operational events. Provide additional visible presence at ceremonial, school and operational events.
- Assist Patrol members as directed and, in a supportive role, with unmarked and/or marked police car patrols, the distribution of crime information to residents and/or businesses and projects, ensuring specific tasks assigned within that project conform to the other tasks outlined within this Letter of Understanding and provided that any such tasks are not normally performed by a regular police officer.
- Conduct any other duties as deemed necessary by the Chief Constable to meet operational needs.

**Perimeter Traffic Control**:

- Conduct traffic and pedestrian control during power failures, fires, and special events, or as required in the field.
- As directed, attend and document non-injury traffic accidents and help people exchange information, provide traffic control and arrange for towing as necessary, when there is no conflict between the motorists involved and no requirement for a proactive collision investigation.
- Arrange for and oversee towing of recovered stolen vehicles, abandoned or non-drivable vehicles, including accompanying the vehicle for continuity.
- Conduct non-enforcement traffic related activities such as setting up speed boards.

**Investigation Support**:

- Canvass for possible witnesses or video, as directed by a lead investigator or patrol officer.
- Assist with the tagging and processing of property as directed by a lead investigator or patrol officer.
- Assist officers at incident scenes, as directed by a lead investigator or patrol supervisor (e.g.

Perimeter security, traffic control and direction, and any other assistance, as needed).
- Stand by at insecure premises while awaiting a property representative.
- Assist victim services caseworkers in the field, where appropriate.

**Proactive Activities**:

- Provide visible presence in the community.
- Assist the public with directions and general enquiries.
- Observe, record and report graffiti and vandalism.
- Physically assist in the search for mis