Larissa Wasilevsky has been with the Citrus Heights Police Department since 2006, the same year the department was formed. She wears a badge, but she doesn’t carry a gun.
Her 15-year career in the law enforcement profession began at the Sacramento Police Department and her first position with CHPD was serving as a police records assistant. In 2007, she transitioned to her current position as a community services officer, where she can often be seen with a smile on her face and sometimes a camera in hand, as she takes photos or videos for posting on the department’s social media pages.
Wasilevsky, 36, is one of seven community services officers in Citrus Heights who serve as unarmed civilian professional staff members that assist with a variety of police work.
What exactly does she do? We recently asked her several questions about her job, and she replied via email. Her responses are included below:
What’s the difference between a CSO and a sworn police officer?
LW: Community Services Officers are similar to Police Officers in the sense that those assigned to the Patrol Division respond to various non-emergency calls for service but they handle mostly cold calls where the suspect is not present. CSO’s take various crime reports, respond to burglaries, traffic collisions, missing persons, provide traffic control and specialize in crime scene processing. We have a CSO assigned to the Investigations Division who is responsible for registering court ordered registrants. I am assigned to the Special Operations Unit assisting with our social media, crime prevention, Neighborhood Watch, Citizen’s Academy, and the SAVSA Programs (Sacramento Abandoned Vehicle Service Authority).
Do you have plans to become a sworn police officer?
LW: No. I am extremely happy with my current position and enjoy serving the community in this capacity.
What does a typical work week look like for you?
LW: Every week is very different. Some days I adjust my schedule to attend internal crime meetings, special events, community meetings, conduct various crime prevention presentations, and assist with various projects at the police department. I also take photos for our social media, develop videos, logos, crime prevention flyers, and post information on our various social media sites. I maintain and submit information from our agency to SAVSA as well.
What do you do with the neighborhood watch groups?
LW: Our Neighborhood Watches are citizen based groups meaning they set their own meeting dates and times with a focus on crime in their neighborhoods. I form partnerships with the Neighborhood Watch presidents, help them get started by educating them about crime prevention techniques, and provide them guidance in solving crime problems. I encourage them to also join Nextdoor to share information with one another in a quick online forum.
What do you like most about your job and working in Citrus Heights?
LW: The community I serve of course! I am so fortunate to have the support and have formed so many wonderful partnerships with the citizens of this city. They are definitely the motivation behind everything I do.
What do you enjoy doing when not on the job?
LW: I enjoy spending time with family, and my 2 dogs, and camping. I also love fishing (specifically for Trout and Bass) so if anyone has any trade secrets, feel free to share them with me.
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