In August of 2004, the Kutztown Borough Police Department created a revolutionary new civilian enforcement position within the police department.
Due to the increasing demand for services provided by the police department to the Kutztown area community, it soon became clear that changes within the department must occur to meet the public’s expectations.
Prior to August of 2004, the police department utilized the separate civilian positions of Parking Enforcement Officer and Crossing Guard with different duties and responsibilities.
Parking Enforcement Officers, whose authority was derived from the Kutztown Borough Code, enforced parking violations and snow removal violations within the Borough.
Crossing Guards handled vehicular and pedestrian traffic at intersections for school children.
Due to the reduction in staffing levels of volunteers of the area Fire Police organizations, the police department found it difficult to provide sufficient personnel to direct traffic for the numerous events occurring annually within the Borough of Kutztown, including the nationally recognized Kutztown Folk Festival.
It also became difficult to locate and employ qualified individuals to provide quality service to school children as Crossing Guards.
The police department elected to combine the pre-existing civilian positions of Parking Enforcement Officer and Crossing Guard into the position of Community Service Officer. The authority and duties of the Community Service Officer were combined and greatly expanded from that of the previous positions. In addition to providing the previous services, the Community Service Officers are now also authorized to direct traffic at community events and to supplement the police officers and area fire police.
The police department utilizes the Community Service Officers in a myriad of ways that supplements sworn police personnel, including the responding to and handling of parking complaints.
Community Service Officers are required to receive extensive training in traffic direction, parking enforcement, citation issuance, dealing with members of the public, the Code of the Borough of Kutztown Vehicles and Traffic section, first aid, CPR, the use of Automated Electronic Defibrillators, and other pertinent material. In addition, Community Service Officers are trained in the use of pepper spray and self-defense.
Community Service Officers are issued unique and distinctive, non-police style uniforms that can be quickly identified by civilians.
Anyone seeking more information on the position of Community Service Officer may contact the Kutztown Borough Police Department.
