THE FORT LAUDERDALE COMMUNITY SERVICE AIDE PROJECT BEGAN OPERATION ON JANUARY 1, 1975. PRIOR TO THE PROJECT, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT PATROL OFFICERS WERE SPENDING 63 PERCENT OF THEIR TIME ON DUTIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE THEIR SPECIALIZED TRAINING. AS A RESULT OF THE PROJECT, THE SWORN OFFICERS SPEND MORE THAN 75 PERCENT OF THEIR TIME PATROLLING, DEVELOPING INFORMANTS, MAKING CONTACTS WITH BUSINESSMEN AND CITIZENS, AND PERFORMING OTHER POLICE DUTIES. DURING ITS 3 YEARS OF OPERATION, THE PROJECT INCREASED THE NUMBER OF CIVILIAN AIDES FROM 20 TO 39. IN THE THIRD YEAR, THE AIDES RESPONDED TO 23,877 CALLS, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 11,415 HOURS OR 1,427 MAN-DAYS. THE USE OF CIVILIAN AIDES ALSO RESULTED IN COST SAVINGS FOR THE DEPARTMENT. THE BACKGROUND AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROJECT ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE DUTIES PERFORMED BY THE AIDES ARE LISTED. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INCLUDES AN OUTLINE OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE AIDES AND COPIES OF PROJECT RECORDKEEPING FORMS. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)