University Counseling Services and the Department of Police Services have co- partnered to provide a care-based approach to those who may be experiencing a mental health emergency on the CSUN campus with the establishment of a Mobile Campus Response (MCR) Team. The Mobile Campus Response (MCR) Team provides a rapid response in-the-field to members of the CSUN community (students, employees, and campus visitors) who need immediate assistance and/or are unable to access assistance on their own due to a mental health crisis or emergency. We operate within a co-responder model and the team includes a mental health response coordinator, a mental health response assistant, and a non-uniformed specially trained law enforcement professional from CSUN’s Department of Police Services (DPS).
Annual Notice on Police Regulated Tools and Equipment
The California State University Northridge, Department of Police Services (DPS) is committed to transparency, communication, and engagement with all members of the campus community.
In July of 2022, the Board of Trustees approved the system-wide Regulated Tools and Equipment policy as recommended by the Chiefs of Police representing the twenty-three University Police Departments. DPS Policy 22-S.O.-024 was adopted and published by the CSUN Department of Police Services as outlined by California Government Code § 7072, which requires every law enforcement agency in the State of California to publish certain information annually regarding specified equipment.
Of the sixteen regulated types of equipment and tools, CSUN DPS utilizes only the 40mm sponge tip launchers. Information regarding the use, policy compliance, funding, and inventory for the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 is outlined below:
Summary of how regulated tools and equipment were used, and the purpose of its use:
- DPS did not have any cases involving the use of the 40mm sponge tip launchers.
Summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning regulated tools and equipment:
- DPS did not receive and complaints or concerns regarding the use of the 40mm sponge tip launchers.
Results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the regulated tools and equipment policy, and any actions taken in response:
- DPS did not receive any audit findings or information about violations associated with the regulated tools and equipment policy.
Annual cost and source of funds for regulated tools and equipment:
- Total expenditures in FY2023-24 for planned purchases to support training and readiness of the 40mm sponge tip launchers is $2,888.74, which is expended from DPS general fund and trust accounts.
Current inventory of regulated tools and equipment:
- DPS currently possesses two (2) Defense Technology 40mm LMT single-shot launchers, Fifty (50) eXact Impact Sponge rounds, and twenty-four (24) plastic training rounds.
Planned purchases of additional regulated tools and equipment in:
- Two (2) Defense Technology 40mm LMT single-shot launchers
- One (1) Defense Technology 40mm LMT single-shot cartridge reloading system
To further our efforts toward transparency and open communication, DPS will host a community engagement event to discuss information contained within this report on October 21, 2024 at 9am in the DPS Community Room. The community engagement event is open to all students, faculty and staff at CSUN DPS. Furthermore, the Chief of Police will provide this information at the next scheduled Police Advisory Committee. Additional information about DPS policies, contact information, and other services provided to the campus can be located online at: https://www.csun.edu/police
Join the Department of Police Services in Celebrating Autism Awareness Month
During April, the Department of Police Services, in partnership with the Family Focus Resource & Empowerment Center, will recognize and celebrate the unique talents, strengths, and contributions of individuals on the autism spectrum.
We ask for your support to increase the understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of people with autism by joining our fundraising effort. Through April, the Department of Police Services will be selling its Autism Awareness patch for $10.00, with all proceeds collected donated to an agency serving individuals with autism. To purchase a patch, please stop by the Department of Police Services in person or contact Catarino (Tony) Arias, Director of DEI and Community Outreach, at (818) 677-6215 or catarino.arias(at)csun.edu
Autism is not a limitation; it's a different way of experiencing the world. Each individual brings their perspective, creativity, and potential to our communities.
The CSUN Department of Police Services (DPS) is aware of recent statements made calling for action as it relates to the conflict in the Middle East.
As always, the safety of our students, faculty and staff are our primary concern. In response to this situation, we have increased our patrol checks and visibility in sensitive areas in and around the campus. We have proactively reached out to our Jewish, Israeli, and Palestinian student groups and have worked collaboratively with campus administrators in Faculty Affairs, Student Affairs and Administration & Finance to ensure we are connecting with the campus community as a whole.
Additionally, we have been and remain in constant communication with our law enforcement partners, including the Los Angeles Police Department, FBI and Homeland Security. At this time, we have not received any information of specific or credible threats to the campus. Be assured, however, if anything should change, DPS will be sure to advise our campus community.
We understand that times such as these are troubling and traumatic to our campus population. To our students, we encourage you to reach out to our University Counseling Services as needed for your mental health and emotional well-being. To our employees, the Employee Assistance Program is available to support you.
Please remember, “If you see something, say something” by contacting CSUN Police Services at our main line 818 677-2111. For emergencies, always dial 911.
The Department of Police Services is here and ready to serve you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sincerely,
Alfredo B. Fernandez
Chief of Police
CSUN Department of Police Services
We Support Breast Cancer Awareness!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the CSUN Department of Police Services is honored to show its support for this very important cause. This month, many of our officers are wearing these pink patches to raise awareness of breast cancer and early detection. If you get the chance, take a moment and talk to one of our officers about their “pink patch.”
Did you know that according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation:
• 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
• In 2023, an estimated 43,700 women will die from breast cancer.
• Although rare men, get breast cancer too. In 2023, an estimated 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
• Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among women overall and the leading cause of cancer death among Latinx women.
• Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.
What should you do to reduce your risks?
• Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month.
• Get your mammogram based on your risk factors (age, family history, etc.)
If you would like to join us in supporting breast cancer awareness, you may purchase a pink patch at CSUN Police Services during business hours for $10. Proceeds will benefit breast cancer research and awareness.
You Asked, We Listened! DPS Launches a New Transparency Dashboard!
The Department of Police Services has launched a new Transparency Dashboard -- one response to our community’s desire for more comprehensive data regarding campus safety. The Department of Police Services is committed to improving transparency, increasing accountability and building trust among our campus, community and neighbors. This is a work in progress, centralizing our existing reports, logs, tables and other data. From this starting place, we are working to build and share data visualizations that are both digestible and interactive. Data will be updated quarterly.
