Company Profile
CA State University Northridge Police Department
Company Overview
The 356 –acre campus of California State University, Northridge is sited in the heart of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. This is a densely populated urban area in which the California State University, Northridge Police Department takes many steps to help all members of the community pursue their educational goals as free as possible from the effects of criminal activity.
Although there are many pleasures associated with urban living, universities today share many of the same crime problems that exist in the city in which the university resides. California State University, Northridge is no exception and sometimes we experience unwanted crime problems. In order to address the range of law enforcement and security issues associated with this type of special environment, it is extremely important to us to hire well qualified lateral police officers and recruit candidates who can become effective, professional police officers able to provide exceptional police services in partnership with our educational community.
As an accredited law enforcement agency, we pride ourselves on our professional standards that provide the basis for our operational policies and procedures. Our department is synonymous with excellence, professional performance and innovative practices. We set a high performance bar for professionalism and community service for our officers to ensure they operate with a community policing style in an environment supportive of educational, professional and extracurricular activities.
We encourage all qualified men and women to learn more about and consider the advantages of policing in the higher education environment along with the excellent state benefits and opportunities available for professional development and policing assignments.
Company History
California State University, Northridge is a vibrant, diverse university community that was founded in 1958 as the San Fernando Valley State College. The 356-acre campus of California State University, Northridge is situated in the heart of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. The University is the third largest of the 23-campus California State University system and one of the nation’s 50 largest universities and colleges, with more than 36,000 students, and 4,000 faculty and staff. Of these individuals, over 2,500 reside within the university residential areas.
In 1994, the Northridge earthquake devastated the University and surrounding communities. After six years of rebuilding, Cal State Northridge became one of the most technologically advanced and influential academic institutions in America.
In 1958, when the California State University, Northridge police department was established, “security guards” received calls for service via a steam whistle on top of the boiler plant on campus. That whistle would be the signal for a guard to call the office and find out where they had to go for whatever type of problem they needed to handle. Apparently it happened very rarely and the campus was pretty much bucolic.
The department has grown significantly since that time. In January, 1974 the department became a POST certified agency. All sworn personnel are certified by the California Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST). Most notably, in May 2008, the Department of Police Services became accredited by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
Fifty years after being founded, the department has progressed to be a highly trained, professional police force that is considered by accreditation assessors to be one of the best agencies in the country. Gone are the days of steam whistles! The department’s new 26,500 square foot facility opened to the public in April 2007. The state-of-the-art Communications Center is equipped with customized consoles and temperature controls for the comfort of each dispatcher. A Title 15-approved detention facility and a forensic laboratory for immediate testing and analysis of evidence and property complete the cutting-edge structure.
The primary jurisdiction of the university police department, according the California Penal Code, is a one-mile radius beyond the perimeter of the campus. However, according to case law CSU police departments have jurisdiction throughout the state of California. As a practical matter, the department patrols the campus as well as the surrounding neighborhoods.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
An IACLEA (International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators) Accredited agency.
The department’s new 26,500 square foot facility was open to the public in April, 2007. A Title 15-approved detention facility and a forensic laboratory for immediate testing and analysis of evidence and property complete the cutting-edge structure.
Benefits
Paid medical, dental and vision insurance for all employees and dependants.
10 days of vacation & 12 days of sick leave a year, including 20 days paid maternity, paternity, or adoption leave. Vacation accrual rate increases after 3 years of service.
13 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday a year.
Annual uniform allowance. In addition, all uniforms and safety equipment are initially provided to newly hired police officers.
POST Certificate Bonus up to $250/month
Special Assignment Bonus $100/month
Employee & dependant education Fee Waiver Program
CalPERS Retirement Program 3% at 50 paid by Department
Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA)
CalPERS Home Loan Program
Workers Compensation Plan