Program Highlights
The UCLA Police Department serves a daily campus population of approximately 83,000 people, of whom, approximately 18,000 reside in University housing. The department also serves two Medical Centers, numerous medical clinics, and additional university and neighboring properties in the Westwood, Santa Monica, and Palms areas of Los Angeles.
As our personnel go about their daily mission of providing a safe environment in support of the University’s educational and public service activities, they rely on our department values as their touchstones: Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence.
Chief James Herren retired in June 2016 with Captain Manny Garza assuming leadership responsibility as Interim Chief for the remainder of the year. The department is organized into three major bureaus.
OPERATIONS BUREAU
The Investigations Division manages four primary units, Detectives, Threat Management, Crime Analysis and Property/Evidence. The Lieutenant is also the department’s liaison to the UCLA animal research community.
Members of the Detective Unit conduct criminal investigations for both misdemeanor and felony crimes. Their responsibilities include responding to crime scenes, case follow-ups, investigations, presenting cases for prosecution and participating in the court process. Approximately three-fourths of all reports taken have investigative leads and are assigned by the detective sergeant to one of six detectives for follow-up. The unit also communicates with the Dean of Students Office to relay information about criminal conduct by students, and with the Title IX office on cases of sexual harassment. Detectives in the unit are also attached to the High Tech Crime Task Force and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The Threat Management Unit (TMU) is an integral part of a campus wide, Behavioral Intervention Team that collaborates to provide resolutions for incidents of workplace violence, personnel actions and/or disciplinary actions. This sergeant also presents ‘responding to an active shooter’ training and ‘workplace violence prevention’ training to the campus community. The Sergeant assigned to this position is funded by Risk Management to work with the campus community and coordinate efforts.
The Crime Analysis Unit enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of the police department's crime suppression efforts, and provides the public with accurate information regarding crime at UCLA. Daily, weekly, monthly and year-to-date statistical analysis is provided to staff helping to direct crime-fighting activities and provide on-going crime prevention information to the campus community. This unit also takes a leading role in the preparation of the Clery Annual Security Report and the release of Timely Warnings for crimes that present a serious or ongoing threat to the safety to the community.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU
The Administrative Bureau, under the command of Captain Russell McKinney, is comprised of the Records Unit, the Communications Center, the Personnel and Training Division, Internal Affairs, and Information Systems functions.
The Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing quality services to students, staff, faculty and visitors to the area. Dispatchers receive and relay routine and emergency calls for assistance via telephone, radio and computer terminals for police, fire, medical aid, hazardous materials, hospital security, parking enforcement, facilities and allied agency incidents. The Dispatchers also monitor alarm data for intrusion, robbery, fire and unknown trouble alarm systems. In 2016, the Communications Center received 6,015 9-1-1 calls out of 75,615 total telephone calls received, and dispatched approximately 49,972 calls for service. Approximately 60% of the 9-1-1 calls were received from callers who dialed 9-1-1 via their cell phone.
The Records Unit is staffed by a Records Manager and four Administrative Assistants. The unit is responsible for validating and maintaining records and reports, meeting legal mandates for statistical reporting and electronic fingerprinting operations. In 2016, the Records Unit processed approximately 4,220 employment and licensing applicants. The unit is also responsible for daily input of moving violation citations and stored/impounded vehicles into the Records Management System (RMS).
The Personnel and Training Unit is staffed by a sergeant and officer who are responsible for testing and selecting sworn personnel. This unit oversees the background investigation process for all full-time personnel, which includes sworn and professional staff. Additionally, this unit facilitates and coordinates all training and ensures that our personnel meet or exceed POST training requirements. In cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Personnel and Training Unit was responsible for coordinating the 18th Annual Violent Crime Behavioral Analysis Seminar.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU
This bureau, managed by Director Nancy Greenstein, is a resource for the department and community. Among the bureau’s responsibilities are the Crime Prevention Unit, UCPD Emergency Medical Service (EMS), CSO programs, Public Information, External Affairs and Campus Liaison, Community Education and Special Projects.
Crime prevention efforts are designed to enhance public safety awareness and prevent crime through education, environmental design, and outreach. In 2016, crime prevention presentations/activities including active shooter workshops were attended by approximately 31,537 students, faculty, staff, and others. The West Side Initiative meetings are held quarterly at UCPD to enhance communication with local apartment managers/owners and the adjacent residential community housing a large number of students. Crime prevention is collaborated with UCLA’s transportation department on a bike smart program, which provides diversion for students who have committed related offenses. Our department works with the Office of Residence life to improve overall security for the students living on campus. We offer complimentary site surveys to our campus partners in an effort to address or improve current safety concerns. We provide assistance/staff to the Undergraduate Student Association Council (USAC) Internal Vice President with the Campus Safety Alliance, a representative committee interested in safety and related issues.
Representatives from UCLA PD are active on campus committees such as the Consultation and Resource Team, Student Fee Advisory and the Safety and Security Committees. UCLA PD is a partner with campus organizations supporting their efforts to encourage reporting, provide preventative education and assist survivors of sexual assault. Members of the department are actively involved in the implementation of the federal and state mandates with respect to sexual assault, Title 9 and the Violence against Women Act.
We continue to work with representatives from student government and other organizations to discuss campus concerns and seek common solutions. UCPD has developed a Diversity Committee to support dialogue, and to encourage trust and respect with diverse groups, while advancing True Bruin values in our community. This committee provides ongoing training to UCPD officers and offers workshops to the campus community to promote better understanding between the police department and the community we serve.
UCLA is in an active media market and has a number of events/situations of interest to news organizations. We are challenged to provide accurate and timely responses to complex issues. The UCLA PD web page provides information about UCPD and public safety, and also includes the posting of news briefs, crime briefs, and safety alerts. These briefs and alerts notify the campus community of recent crimes or trends in the area. The safety alerts provide timely warnings about significant crimes impacting the campus. Interested community members are also able to obtain information from our LISTSERV.
UCLA Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employs UCLA students trained as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to staff the campus ambulance around the clock every day of the year. The program is currently in its 39th year of operation, providing basic life support emergency medical response to the UCLA campus and surrounding area, with an average response time of less than 4 minutes. There were 1718 (9-1-1) calls handled by the unit in 2016; medical complaints ranged from minor sports injuries to cardiac arrest. When they are not on medical calls, EMTs also take minor crime reports (455 reports taken in 2016) at the police department front counter, and handle the lost and found function. UCLA Emergency Medical Services is a proud member of the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation (NCEMSF).
The CSO Programs are a primary outlet for student participation in campus safety at UCLA. CSOs provide evening escorts throughout the year and a campus shuttle service during academic quarters. CSOs patrol or they are stationed in designated campus buildings, all residence halls, parking lots and libraries, acting as the “eyes and ears” of UCPD, and provide a visible deterrent to crime. CSOs are a liaison between students and the UCPD and assist with outreach activities. The CSO Program oversees security guard services for the UCLA campus and certain off-campus locations. Working closely with approved private security guard companies, we provide service for departments that require a security presence and for short term special events. Management of security guard services at UCPD allows for customized service for the campus, whether there is a need for police officers, CSOs, security guards, or some combination of the three.