Mission, Vision, Values, and Background

Mission Statement

To provide a safe environment, in partnership with our community, that furthers the mission of the university.

Vision Statement

We aspire to provide exceptional public safety, create an excellent work environment, and develop an outstanding team.

Core Values

• Accountability: Being responsible for your actions.
• Respect: Treating others as you would want to be treated.
• Integrity: Always doing the right thing.
• Service: Working to meet the community’s needs.
• Excellence: Performing at the highest standard.

Background

The UCLA Police Department is a leader in providing progressive law enforcement services to a culturally diverse urban campus and its surrounding community. We are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for teaching, research and public service. We do this through patrol, rapid response to calls for service, investigations, education and implementation of preventative strategies. Our work, grounded in a community policing philosophy, utilizes campus partnerships as the most effective approach for insuring a safe campus.

UCLA police officers are duly sworn peace officers under section 830.2(b) of the California Penal Code and section 92600 of the California Education Code. The officers are armed and possess the same authorities under the law as municipal police officers. UCLA police officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They enforce the law, arrest violators, investigate and suppress crime, investigate traffic and bicycle accidents, and provide a full range of services to the community. UCLA PD works closely with local law enforcement in a collaborative effort to prevent crime and apprehend criminal suspects.

The Department is linked to city, state and federal criminal justice agencies databases, which provide access to criminal records, wanted persons, stolen property and vehicle information. All crimes reported to the Department are thoroughly investigated and referred for prosecution through the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office or Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. Criminal and non-criminal matters involving university students may also be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

Organization

The Chief of Police oversees the entire department, which is divided into three bureaus responsible for planning, day-to-day operations/programs, coordination, community involvement and accountability.

The Operations Bureau is commanded by a Captain whose primary responsibility is to provide general management direction and control for the Operations Bureau. The Operations Bureau consists of the Patrol and Investigations Divisions. The Patrol Division includes the Motor Program, the Bicycle Team, the Lead Officers Program, the Special Events Sergeant and the Field Training Officer (FTO) Program. The Investigations Division includes the Detectives Unit, Threat Management Unit, Property & Evidence and Crime Analysis/Clery Unit.

The Administrative Bureau is commanded by a Captain whose primary responsibility is to provide general management direction and control for the Administrative Bureau. The Administrative Bureau consists of the the Personnel and Training Unit, the Communications Center, the Records Unit, the Information Systems Unit and Professional Standards, and the Police Community Services Division.  The Police Community Services Division consists of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program and the Lost and Found, the Community Service Officer (CSO) Program and alarms, the Mentor Program and the Crime Prevention Unit. The Police Community Services Division also has interaction with the Lead Officers Program, the Workplace Violence Unit and the Crime Analysis/Clery Unit. This Division has the responsibilities of Public Information and Media Relations, and Campus and External Relations.