Celebrating the Role of Community Services Officers

The City of Kamloops would like to extend its sincere congratulations to the 19 Community Services Officers (CSOs) who graduated the enhanced training program on Friday, March 11, 2022. With this milestone complete, the Community Services Division is operating 24/7 within in the community with an education first approach: educate, encourage, and then, if needed, enforce.

Over the past year, CSOs have completed an enhanced training program designed to maximize community resources and to strengthen relationships with local businesses, social agencies, and other partners such as the RCMP, Kamloops Fire Rescue, and internal City departments. CSOs support Community Policing Crime Prevention Unit and RCMP operations, including immediate scene security and traffic control during emergencies and conduct shifts in the cell block.

While the CSOs still have the authority to enforce bylaws through ticketing and other measures, there is an increased focus on developing relationships, education, resolving conflict, and working together as a community.

The enhanced training includes:

  • understanding the basics of the Criminal Code
  • conducting crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) assessments
  • performing property inspections and investigating property use files
  • supporting the Business Licensing Section with enforcing the Business Licence and Regulations Bylaw
  • implementing techniques in de-escalation, use of force, report writing, evidence gathering, file management

The training program has resulted in CSOs being better equipped to deal with social issues, investigate a variety of files, and offer integrated solutions for files they investigate in a safe and effective manner.

The CSO role has evolved into a 24/7 operation where CSOs are providing an increased presence in the community and supporting individuals who are experiencing homelessness by connecting them with outreach services and, if needed, directing them to shelters or designated areas for overnight shelter. The increased presence also supports calls for service related to noise complaints; neighbourhood patrols; securing City facilities; traffic control; emergency support; and collecting garbage, shopping carts, and discarded needles and syringes.

Individuals interested in a career in Community Services are encouraged to apply for the CSO training opportunity available at Kamloops.ca/Careers.