The Community Services Unit (CSU) of the Lancaster Police Department is staffed by five full time officers. Two officers are Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) certified trainers and are responsible for the presentation of the DARE program in the local schools, including all eight city elementary schools and the St. Mary Catholic School.

In cooperation with the Fairfield County Municipal Court, the CSU has developed a court security unit which employs two officers who handle all prisoner transports to and from the court and other holding facilities. This unit also provides security for court personnel.

The CSU is responsible for planning special events and representing the department at community related events and functions. Members of the unit also participate in advisory positions on many community boards. The following are examples of the programs with which the CSU presents or is associated with:

• Citizen Police Academy (Forms) Alumni Website
• Safety Town (Forms)
• DARE Program
• Third Grade Safety Belt Awareness Program
• "Click It or Ticket" and "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." Programs
• Crime Prevention Awareness and Education
• Neighborhood Block Watch and Neighborhood Education Assistance
• Bicycle Patrol Unit
• Community Oriented Problem Solving
• "Smart Trailer" mobile speed monitoring unit
• Fairfield County Common Pleas, Juvenile, and Municipal Court Liaison

In 2008, a Dodge Hemi Charger was customized and placed into service for the DARE program. The vehicle was funded by drug seizures and through donations by local businesses. The vehicle is used to represent the police department at a wide variety of community events.

The Community Services Unit may be contacted by telephone at 740-687-6626 ext 7.  Sgt. Will Tolly supervises the unit and he may be reached at 740-687-6688 ext. 42 or by email:  wtolly@ci.lancaster.oh.us