I'm a CSO for Elk Grove PD (near Sacramento CA). We perform field patrol work in marked police cars to take cold reports, traffic collision reports, and other "non hazardous" calls for service where the suspect is not on scene. We are issued ballistic vests and have OC spray. I was wondering if any other California agencies who employ CSOs issue them Tasers or batons?

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff, I am a CSO in La Mesa (San Diego County)we are going to petition the department to be allowed to carry tasers. I have personally come in contact with suspects on several occasions, and felt my OC may not be enough protection. I am interested in the fact that you are issued vests? Could you send me your department policy on vests for CSO's. Also, we have requested a change of our title to PSO. Do you realize it is the only "title" within the department that does not include "Police",ie. Police dispatcher not community dipatcher and yet we do police work! Thanks much, Kay

Hello,

Im a CSO from Cary IL, 45 min from Chicago...Standard procedure for vests on my dept. is...if you walk outside the building you must be wearing your vest at all times. They are exterior vests with embrodered badges and names in silver...We also have done away with the CSO name and now call the position PA Police Asst. We also carry everything but firearms. (2) cuffs, OC spray, expandable baton, D-cell flash light, Knife. It would be nice to have tazzers but way to much liability...Admin do not like them.

Hi Joe,
I am really surprised they let you carry a baton, but not a taser? Citizens can carry tasers. I think they are smart to have you wear vests, but I am guessing the crime rate is higher in your area? La Mesa's population is about 60,000. Your title makes more sense to me also, Police Assistant. Thanks for the info.
K

I am the only CSO in the City of Keizer, OR, pop: 32,000. I too wear a ballistic vest and only carry OC even though I have run into some very angry people. Right now we have one "gentleman" in our city that has been tresspassed from the PD, is getting his CCW revoked, and is up for a psychological eval, all because I wrote him a parking ticket (court is pending..should be lively). I have pushed for better defensive tools in the past but have gotten nowhere. It might be the CSO title. I would be interested to learn what justification was used to get a PA title.

I'm a PSO (Police Services Officer) in Arizona, not California, but yes we are issued tasers. We carry OC, baton, handcuffs, Taser, radio and other items of choice depending on assignment. We are also issued ballistic vests, at the moment there are no exterior carriers for us. So we pretty much carry everything except firearm and ammo!