Community Safety Officers transition to Public Safety Officers

Community Safety Officers transition to Public Safety Officers

Published on August 07, 2024

New name, same high level of service.

In July 2024, Lakewood rebranded its Community Safety Officers (CSOs) as Public Safety Officers (PSOs). PSOs, which are part of the city's Public Safety Department, better aligns with the department's name as well as reflects their integral role in ensuring public safety within our community.

PSOs collaborate closely with Deputy Sheriffs stationed at the Lakewood Sheriff's Station while maintaining their status as City of Lakewood civilian employees.

The City of Lakewood currently employs seven dedicated PSOs. They respond to a variety of criminal, non-criminal and traffic collision incidents to take reports, address quality of life issues and violations of the Lakewood Municipal Code, provide added eyes and ears on patrol, and take fingerprints and DNA at crime scenes like robberies and burglaries-a service level most cities don't provide. That extra evidence gives Sheriff's investigators added tools for finding and prosecuting criminals in Lakewood. The overall support that PSOs provide Deputy Sheriffs in Lakewood is a key reason why Deputy Sheriff response time is faster in Lakewood than the average in L.A. County.

Be sure to keep an open eye for PSOs out and about through the city. PSOs can be distinctly identified by their blue uniform polo shirt with City of Lakewood patches on the shoulders and black pants.

They work seven days a week, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. generally, and drive white Ford Fusions with the wording 'Public Safety--Partners with Our Community' written on the sides of the vehicle.

Residents cannot directly call for PSO assistance as they are assigned calls by dispatchers at the Lakewood Sheriff's Station. If you need help, call the Lakewood Sheriff's Station at 562-623-3500 and a Deputy Sheriff or PSO will respond to your call, depending on who is best for your need.

If you haven't met Lakewood's PSOs yet, join the city's Public Safety Department at their next event. Visit the Public Safety Events page for the calendar and other details.

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Tagged as:

• Community Safety