Goal #1

Enhance the Effectiveness of the DeSoto Police Department’s Community Engagement through the Use of Non-Sworn Community Service Officers

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1. Hire non-sworn community service officers (CSO’s)

2. Create a shift schedule and duty responsibilities for CSO's that compliments and supplements the patrol officers

3. Create a beat schedule for each CSO that includes regular check-ins with HOA’s, neighborhoods, and businesses

4. Set up introductory meetings with HOA's, neighborhoods, the DeSoto Chamber, Clergy, and other groups to build relationships with the new CSO’s

5. Develop standard operating procedures for handling public safety related commentary on social media for follow up by a CSO

6. Create engagement strategies with community and business groups for regular CSO contact

7. Create community outreach for participation in National Night Out in both August and November

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4th Quarter Update
September 2023

As of Q4, the Community Service Officer Goal is 100% complete. All three new Community Service Officers (CSO's) are hired and engaging with the community and businesses. Command staff from the Police Department and the CSO's are developing and finalizing standard operating procedures for handling public safety related commentary on social media to improve resident outreach. In Q4, the Police Department and CSO's participated in several National Night Out activities in August and hosted an event at East Middle School in October for Texas Night Out.  

3rd Quarter Update
July 2023 

As of Q3, all three new Community Service Officers have been hired with the finalization of regular schedules, duty responsibilities, and district areas. DeSoto's CSO's are approximately 50% through introductory meetings with businesses, clergy, HOA's, and apartment managers to increase awareness and build relationships. Command staff from the Police Department and the CSO's are collaborating on developing standard operating procedures for handling public safety related commentary on social media to improve resident outreach. The CSO's are going to participate in various National Night Out activities across DeSoto in August with a static Police Department hosted event in October at East Middle School.