IN MARCH 1978, THE SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT BEGAN A STUDY INTO THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF SENIOR CITIZENS WITH THE CREATION OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS ASSISTANCE OFFICER'S POSITION. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT WORRIES ABOUT FINANCES, TAKING SPECIAL CARE OF THEIR HEALTH, PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN MAINTAINING THEIR HOMES, AND LIMITED ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION WERE COMMON CONCERNS THAT MADE SENIOR CITIZENS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO CRIME. THE STUDY RESULTED IN ORGANIZING THE SENIOR CITIZENS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH HAS TWO SEPARATE PROJECTS, THE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THE PREVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES SEMINARS IN FIRE HAZARDS, RAPE, PURSE-SNATCHING, CONFIDENCE GAMES, CONSUMER FRAUD, AND OTHER TOPICS OF EXPRESSED SENIOR CITIZEN INTEREST. THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE CRIME VICTIMS OR WHO NEED IMMEDIATE SPECIAL SERVICE. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST VICTIMS IN PERSON OR BY PHONE, AS IN LANDLORD DISPUTES OR VACATION HOME CHECKS. A SERVICE TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS PUBLICIZES SERVICES AND INFORMATION. THE NEW SENIOR CITIZENS ASSISTANCE OFFICER COORDINATES ACTIVITIES, INVESTIGATES COMPLAINTS, GIVES STATUS TO THE WORK OF THE VOLUNTEERS, MAINTAINS AND REVIEWS CRIME TRENDS, AND FURNISHES LIAISON WITH OTHER POLICE OFFICERS IN SENIOR CITIZEN MATTERS. CASE INFORMATION AND CASE REPORT FORMS ARE INCLUDED. LESSON OUTLINES ALSO ARE GIVEN FOR POLICE SEMINARS, COVERING PURSE-SNATCH, ROBBERY, BURGLARY, CONFIDENCE GAMES, MEDICAL QUACKERY, AND CONSUMER FRAUDS.