The Vernon Hills Police department has several full-time Community Service Officers, commonly referred to as CSOs. A CSO is a civilian (non-sworn) Department employee whose work includes responsibility for a variety of quasi law enforcement and general support activities. A CSO's work includes the enforcement of animal and parking violations, as well as the investigation of minor traffic crashes on private property and calls for general public service assistance. A CSO also:

• Assists with traffic control duties at the scene of a traffic crash.
• Investigates animal complaints including the apprehension and transport of stray or vicious animals.  Read about the Vernon Hills animal ordinances.
• Assists disabled motorists.
• Assists motorists locked out of their vehicles.
• Patrols the village, looking for criminal activity, safety hazards and persons needing assistance.

A CSO's work involves considerable public contact, often under difficult circumstances.