CSU / UC Police Departments

[Biz_mikee]

I've searched a bunch of sites trying to find out more info about California State University and University of California Polcie Departments.

what is the work like? Typical day? How hard is it to promote?

[Biz_mikee]

Also, how are the benefits?

[sgttom]

UC systems pay more than CSU. I don't know why.....

In NorCal - there are all types of openings now at both systems - Captains down to Officer...

Bene's, both are good, 3% at 50, etc. (Medical, Dental, Vision are under good, "mainstream" plans)......

[Biz_mikee]

I live near a University and work with the local PD here often enough and know a few of the guys outside of work.

They seem to have a pretty laid back atmosphere. I feel that a lot of the guys either like the slow paced atmosphere or they are looking to get out for a little more action. Be aware to that the money they work on is tied into the University itself. So if budget is tight at the University, it will be that much tighter at the PD. Also, they "usually" only take people with POST certs in hand. It is rare to see them put people through the academy.

It will be harder to promote becuase most departments are smaller. So in comparison to a city PD, its just sheer numbers working against you.

The days obviously vary, as would the work during the time of year. During the summer months, there is a lot less going on becuase kids are on break. The night shift on fridays and saturdays can be pretty hectic.

That's all I can really tell you about the CSU PD I live near and work with.

What CSU is that?

[robbinsr]

I just graduated from a UC where I was a CSO and let me tell you, I have absolutely no clue why anyone would want to be an officer at a UC. There is absolutely nothing ever to do. I don't think in the whole time I was working I saw or heard over the radio any officer make an actual arrest.

Whoever said Friday and Saturday nights are hectic is wrong, at least at my UC. It basically consists of this:

Traffic Stop (warned)
Loud Music Complaint
Traffic Stop (warned)
Escort student from library to residence
Traffic Stop (warned)
Subjects seen Drinking
Loud Noise Complaints
False Classroom Alarm
Skateboarders

If you're interested in pursuing that type of stuff, by all means.

The biggest case I heard of in my whole time as CSO was a 19 year old who stole like 20 laptops and books over the course of a year from the library. When he was finally arrested it was as if a serial killer was apprehended.

[DOAcop38]

I don't think Robbinsr view of UC/ or CSU policing is totally true.while the campus settings are fairly safer than many municipal areas- you have to also look at WHERE the campus or univ.is located-yuppy,upscale city or town-low crime? same for the college or univ.Its like bragging about working cities like Palos Verdes PD and talking about all the "Hardcore" policing you do ,but putting down people who work ,say Inglewood School PD,where they actually have to deal with gangmembers and violence daily.Having friends who work UCLA PD and Cal State Northridge PDs(both UC and CSU systems),their experiences are dictated by dept policy,desires of their employing body-the Schools and their environment-sometimes its slow,like quite a few municipalities (those outside of agencies like LAPD,LASD,Santa ana PD,etc) and there are times when the gun has to come out.

Policing is just that ,"policing"-you are there to protect and serve your employing community and visitors/businesses that operate in your community.chasing thugs all day may be the "vision" the young and naive have about L.E. but it is only part of the job,and the BAD part at that.and while ,even at almost 20 yrs on,I still love a good arrest caper,i know that people expect to see me being "visible",and available to respond to whatever problem they have and reach for the phone to come to. If you want to join a CSU or UC police agency,go for it. CSU depts pay an avg of $50K to $63k/yr and UCs pay $54K to 72K/yr-both have great medical and retirement programs,and both may offer you something that a local municipal or county dept might not- it depends on you as the individual and your work ethic.And both the UC and CSU depts send recruits to local academies-depends on what their needs are at recruitment time......

[ask80]

UC's pay more than CSU. i think benefits are good. each UC PD is sort of different, depending on the Dean. I went to UCSD and went on a ride with UCI PD. the officer said the Dean was pro-police so they got new bikes and stuff and free cafeteria food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. i think most i new were older veteran officers or retired officers looking for a quiet job. and yes it's different from a city job, much quieter. i think berkely seems to have more specialized units, from looking at their web page. and of course with smaller depts, it's harder to promote..

and it seems like university PD's are governed more by the campus administration (deans, presidents , etc)than by the chief...

[IMachU]

If you want free education for you and your kids, that is the place to go to work. They pay well (my good friend works in Pomona and gets about $5K a month as an officer), and very good bennies.

[robbinsr]

I didn't mean to generalize I apologize. I meant specifically at my UC, which is really the only UCPD I can speak for. If you look at my location you can figure out which one it is. regardless one can generalize a little regarding the UC's considering theyre all in pretty safe neighborhoods (Irvine, La Jolla, West LA, Santa Barbara, good part of Riverside, Berkeley, and Santa Cruz). I've visited pretty much all the UCs and with the exception of LA and Santa Barbara at night, they all seem to have a similar atmosphere. SD, Irvine, and Riverside I swear are identical schools.

I just really don't see the benefit of working at a UCPD unless you're preference is the slower, laid back, atmosphere.

Oh and for the person who mentioned free cafeteria meals as a benefit, after just eating that stuff for four years, I wouldn't necessarily consider that such a positive.

[Stugotz]

While I know virtually every PD in the county is hiring, currently I'm looking primarily at joining a UC/CSU PD. Nothing wrong with a safer environment, good pay/benefits, 3% @ 50, and a generally supportive community. I graduated from UC AND CSU campuses in LA County and I know there's action if you look for it. T-stops don't always end in warnings. Assaults, robberies, and homicides aren't limited to South LA. Remember the organ donor scandal eminating from a So Cal UC? The UCPD was an investigating agency. That qualifies as "real" police work if you ask me. And remember the dirt bag rabblerouser who got tased in the university library? Those officers (and the dept for that matter) are experiencing the same criticism and discontent their municipal counterparts feel daily. That's pretty real IMHO. College campuses are microcosms of society: drug use, rapes, theft, hate crimes, and the like, happen there.

It's not all smiles and waves.

[DOAcop38]

good take,"stu"- let those "real vs. wannabe" types talk all the crap they want,bottom line- find a good job,provide service and feel proud about what you do.I've talked to probationary officers with my dept who always joke about the "preservice" guys who'd diss them at rio hondo,then -as the academy was near complete-would come back ,heads bowed and BEG for a "hook up" or way to get on the job,when the LESSER PAYING "REAL" agency they applied for didn't pick them up or wasn't hiring.Plus- in terms of "real" police work- a felony arrest is a felony arrest,dito a misd.There are several names on the memorial wall in Sacramento from CA College district PDs of officers who did the "Real" work and suffered the same fate as their Muni and county counterparts..........

[Stugotz]

FYI all - there's an ongoing discussion about university policing in another officer.com forum...check it out

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66743

[SoCalFed]

CSU PD and UCPD they are both excellent police agencies. Both are full POST, statewide jurisdiction, safety retirement, and have a variety of collateral duties available. In addition, there are not many other places in California (except maybe CHP) where you can stay with the same agency doing regular police work, yet go from urban to rural (i.e. start at UCLA and then transfer to UC Merced). Great gig in my opinion....

[baummer]

I didn't mean to generalize I apologize. I meant specifically at my UC, which is really the only UCPD I can speak for. If you look at my location you can figure out which one it is. regardless one can generalize a little regarding the UC's considering theyre all in pretty safe neighborhoods (Irvine, La Jolla, West LA, Santa Barbara, good part of Riverside, Berkeley, and Santa Cruz). I've visited pretty much all the UCs and with the exception of LA and Santa Barbara at night, they all seem to have a similar atmosphere. SD, Irvine, and Riverside I swear are identical schools.

You're from Riverside right? How much time have you spent at UC Riverside or University Ave and Iowa Ave? UCR PD is actually a pretty busy department with all sorts of things going on. For instance: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/s...7.4007a99.html

The campus itself is nice, but immediately around it, it's scum. University Ave is home to drug dealers, prostitutes, gang activity, and other scum. I'd hardly call it a safe neighborhood. I know most people who will REFUSE to go to anywhere around campus past sun down. Also, there have been shootings at the University Village. In recent memory, there has been violent attacks on students whose laptops, etc. have been stolen, and this is WITHIN the campus, as well as the immediate outskirts. Earlier in the school year there was a string of sexual assaults on campus as well. I'm just wondering because anyone who has spent any time here can see this. I know Riverside is quite vast, maybe you just were there on a lucky day. But I'd say overall it's not THAT bad, just have to be careful and consider the time.

Also, UC's pay more because they have more private funding than CSU's. University of California is a brand name, and is one of the best school systems in the world (so they tell me practically everday, and YES, I am a student at UC Riverside). So, naturally, they get more cheddar than CSU's.

[DPS55]

If you want free education for you and your kids, that is the place to go to work. They pay well (my good friend works in Pomona and gets about $5K a month as an officer), and very good bennies.

As always that is th best part about working at a college/university!