Community Service Officers are an extension of the Dublin Police Department. They are a group of civilians who have graduated from the Dublin Citizen Police Academy. Graduates of the academy may apply to be a CSO. Applicants undergo rigorous background checks and training before being selected.
Dublin currently has 13 CSOs who volunteer at least eight hours a month with the Department. The CSOs handle vacation house checks, business checks, vehicle lock outs, traffic surveys, working special events, aid with crime prevention and other duties as needed.
The Dublin Police Department started the program in 2013, and the CSOs have become a valuable resource for community.
In 2015 the Community Service Officer (CSO) Program entered its third year serving the City of Dublin as a team of skilled volunteers. The mission of the CSO Program continues to be focused on serving as an example of community partnership by deploying a volunteer force that enhances the department’s ability to achieve its goals.
In 2015, the CSOs volunteered more than 1940 hours. Their patrol activities included:
- 1231 Vacation House Checks
- 390 Business & Park Checks
- 241 Crime Prevention Notices Distributed
- 54 Vehicle Lock-outs
CSOs also represented the department by assisting with the following activities and events:
- Police Applicant Physical Fitness Testing
- Distracted Driving: Supervised simulator in high schools
- Citizens University
- Annual Police In-Service: Role Players
- Conducted multiple Traffic Surveys
- Dublin Coffman Football Home Games
- Responded to 9/11 Wind Storms
- Citizen Police Academy
- Patrol Operation (Theft From Vehicle) Surveillance Details
- Distributed “Like It, Lock It” posters
- Distributed “Rx Drop Box” posters
- Town Hall on Heroin
- State of the City 2015
- Patrick’s Day Parade Safety Marshals
- Memorial Day Parade Road Closures
- Independence Day Parade Safety Marshals
- Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks
- Safety City
- Dublin Irish Festival
- Ident-A-Kid Tents
- RU 21 Program*
- Halloween Spooktacular
- Beggars Night (3 teams of 2)
- Citizens Police Academy
- Christmas Tree Lighting
*resulted in five (5) underage alcohol charges
Community Service Officers Profiles
Chris Bowles
Day Job: Verizon Wireless – Systems Administrator
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
To support the police in keeping Dublin a fun and safe place for us all to live and work.
Special Hobby:
Astronomy photography is one of my (many) hobbies.
Dan Chonko
Day Job: JPMorgan Chase – Chief Financial Officer of Operations
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
I had the opportunity to be in the Dublin Citizens Police Academy and learn about all that Dublin Police do. I was truly in awe and decided if there was anything I could do to help these courageous men and women to keep our community safe I was going to do it.
Tell us 1 fun fact about yourself:
I’ve been married 30 years (to the same woman) and we have moved 11 times. The longest we have lived anywhere is Dublin and we love it! It truly has become home!
Dublin Pride:
How fortunate we are that we live in such a safe, happy, healthy community. I am grateful every day that I can say I live in Dublin.
Kevin Cooper
Day Job: Digital Media
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
Like many things in Dublin, the Dublin Division of Police sets high standards for public safety. Being a CSO is an opportunity for me to be a part of a world-class organization and serve my community. It’s a great feeling of pride knowing that we can respond to lower-priority calls for service, which allows officers to focus on higher-priority calls, keeping our community safe.
Moment of Fame:
I was number #01562 for the Guinness World’s Record Largest Irish Jig Attempt Aug. 4th, 2007, at the Dublin Irish Festival.
Debbie Giddings
Day Job: Cardinal Health – Manager of Software Engineering
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
I have always had an interest in law enforcement and respect the men and women who keep us safe. I wanted to help them and provide safety to our community and educate our fellow workers and neighbors in this great city.
Fun Fact:
I was an extra (fan in the stands) in the 1984 movie “The Natural” with Robert Redford – I guess that was my first experience of being a volunteer!
Tim Hansley
Day Job: Delaware County – County Administrator
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
The Dublin community has been very good to me and my family and I believe that this program provides a perfect opportunity to pay back this “debt.”
Fun Fact:
I joined the United States Coast Guard to be near the ocean. I spent four years stationed at the USCG Institute in Oklahoma City and never saw any water, let alone an ocean.
Doug Harriman
Day Job: Lowes – Part time
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
After attending the Dublin Citizens Police Academy they shared the opportunity for citizens to assist the police and become involved in the community. The officers appreciate the work we are able to perform and show us the tricks they use to perform some of the tasks.
Road to Dublin:
My wife wanted to move back to Ohio from Arizona 20 years ago and every winter I let her know you don’t have to shovel sunshine.
Fun Fact:
I officiate High School and College Lacrosse.
Brian Landis
Day Job: State of Ohio – Chief Examiner for Consumer Finance
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
To give back to the community.
Special Hobby:
I love woodworking. I built my house in 1995.
Road to Dublin:
Getting married to Linda brought me to Dublin 9 years ago.
Joe Sanderlin
Day Job: Pepper Construction Co. – Project Manager
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
I have always been interested in law enforcement. The Dublin Citizens Police Academy allowed me to have an all-access “backstage” pass to such a special organization. When they developed the CSO program I immediately wanted to be a part of the program.
Special Hobbies:
I enjoy woodworking and antiquing.
Driving motivation:
If anything I do to assist Dublin Police allows them to get to an emergency a fraction of a second faster, then my assistance has been well worth it.
Abdul Sawah
Day Job: Software Engineer
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
I have always believed in community service, it’s my way to pay back the community and it’s the right thing to do.
Fun fact:
I hold multiple degrees and I am multi-lingual.
Words of Wisdom:
Everything is a circle, what goes around comes around. Whatever you give will come back to you in multitude. All you have to do is make an effort. What a great investment.
Becky Saylor
Day Job: Retired – Dublin Coffman High School biology teacher; current substitute teacher
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
After taking the first Dublin Citizens Police Academy course, I decided to apply for a CSO position. I felt it was the perfect way to pay back my community. Working with the police has been a real learning experience, and I appreciate them even more!
Fun Fact:
My real name is Elaine. I don’t have a middle name. My mom started calling me Becky and it stuck.
Family Connection: I’m married and have two grown sons: one lives in Tulsa, Okla.; the other lives in New York City.
Lisa Trippe
Day Job: Stay at home mom
Why did you decide to become a CSO:
I try to give back to the community whenever I can. I have been volunteering for many years. I have a great interest in law and this opportunity was the perfect fit.
Fun Fact:
I LOVE everything Disney!
