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Community Service Aide (CSA)

by CSA Johnny Andrews

Scattered within the ranks of the Columbia Police Department is a small army of "junior cops." We can be identified by the white patrol cars that we drive, or the light blue shirts we wear. These are Community Service Aides or CSAs. CSAs are limited commission officers who perform a variety of law enforcement support activities, such as parking enforcement, investigation of non-injury accidents, escorting funeral processions, rerouting or directing traffic around traffic hazards, transporting equipment to police officers, and unlocking vehicles in emergency situations. This is only a small part of what we do.

CSAs cannot make arrests, but do issue summons for traffic violations at accident scenes, assist stranded motorists and issue parking tickets for trespass vehicles. We can also be observed in the municipal court room as a bailiff. Some of the jobs held by CSAs are:

• Station Master: The front desk attendant whom you contact in the lobby of the police department.
• Teleserve: Takes telephone and walk-in minor incident reports.
• Fingerprinting: For the many walk-in requests for fingerprints of a non-criminal nature.
• Crime Analysis: Receives, compiles, researches, correlates and analyzes data on crime committed in Columbia.
• Courts/Transport: Transport prisoners from the municipal court to/from the jail.
• Warrant/Subpoena Service
• Booking officer: Assists the patrol officer in the processing of a prisoner.