CSO'S OR POLICE AIDES ARE YOUNG PARAPROFESSIONALS SEEKING EVENTUAL FULL POLICE OFFICER STATUS. CSO PROGRAMS GIVE YOUNG RECRUITS A CHANCE TO PROVE THEMSELVES ON THE JOB AND ALLOW THEM A COMPETITIVE EDGE ON ENTRANCE TO POLICE ACADEMIES. FACED WITH STAFFING, RECRUITMENT, AND BUDGETARY PROBLEMS, SAN DIEGO, CALIF., LAUNCHED A CSO PROGRAM TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING TASKS: WRITING PARKING CITATIONS, RESPONDING TO AMBULANCE CALLS, CHECKING VACATION HOMES, CONDUCTING HOME SECURITY CHECKS, DIRECTING TRAFFIC AT EMERGENCY SCENES, ASSISTING STRANDED MOTORISTS, INVESTIGATING AND REPORTING ON PETTY CRIMES, HUNTING FOR LOST CHILDREN, IMPOUNDING STOLEN PROPERTY, ASSISTING THE SICK AND THE AGED, AND ATTENDING COMMUNITY MEETINGS. CSO'S DO NOT CARRY GUNS, HAVE POWER OF ARREST, OR DIRECT ACTION IN DANGEROUS CRIMINAL SITUATIONS. THEY THEREFORE HAVE CONSTANT POSITIVE CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND IT IS HOPED THAT THEY CAN AVOID DEVELOPING THE USUAL POLICE CYNICISM. CSO'S ARE ASSIGNED TO FIELD OFFICERS WHO CONTINUALLY TRAIN THEM AND ASSESS THEIR PROGRESS, AND IF THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTED INTO THE POLICE ACADEMY WITHIN 5 YEARS, THEY MUST GIVE UP THEIR JOBS--THERE ARE NO LONG-TERM CAREERS FOR CSO'S. INGLEWOOD, CALIF., SEATTLE, WASH., KALAMAZOO, MICH., AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA., HAVE SIMILAR CSO PROGRAMS WHICH MAY DIFFER, HOWEVER, IN AGE REQUIREMENTS, THE NATURE OF THE WORK, AND THE EXTENT OF TRAINING. THE CAREER OF ONE YOUNG FEMALE CSO IN SAN DIEGO IS DESCRIBED. (KJM)