About

The Department of Public Safety, which includes the University police force, Parking & Transportation Services and Risk Management/Environmental Health, is focused on the safety and well-being of the people who study at, work on or visit the campus.

Public Safety is charged with responding to calls for help and educating the university community about crime prevention, fire safety and emergency preparedness.

Cal State L.A.’s Police Department participates in the national Law Enforcement Accreditation program, which certifies that the department is committed to excellence in law enforcement. The department is one of only six university police departments in California to meet these high standards.

UNIVERSITY POLICE

The University Police Department protects the University’s students, faculty, staff and visitors, answering more than 42,000 calls for service a year. Uniformed patrol officers, investigators, dispatchers and members of the Eagle Patrol work together to provide a safe environment, control traffic and prevent crime. Officers focus on educational programs such as Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) and Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT) and members of the Eagle Patrol provide escort services.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Providing safe and accessible parking to the campus community and to visitors is the priority for Parking & Transportation Services. Parking & Transportation Services is comprised of three service areas and field operations: the Front Desk, the Welcome Center/Information Kiosk, and the Parking & Transportation Service Center.

Responsibilities of Parking & Transportation staff include parking reservations, parking event signage, transit pass sales, commuter program applications, parking collections, citation appeals and Live Scan.

Parking Services is responsible for 7,370 parking spaces on campus and sells about 32,500 student parking permits during a four-quarter school year. Parking maintenance staff is responsible for the maintenance, programming and collection of funds from 33 parking pay stations around campus lots and structures, 17 of which accept credit cards. About 416,000 permits are bought each day from these pay stations during the fiscal year.

COMMUTER SERVICES

As the only university in Southern California with a train station within its property lines, Cal State L.A. places heightened importance on using public transportation and ridesharing. The rail station is located on the south end of campus near the bus terminal, where about 20 bus lines serve the campus community.

Employees, students and staff can also easily access local bus and shuttle service at the Transit Center. The University’s commuter program has received awards for its efforts in maintaining a high average vehicle ridership for employee commuters. About 300 university employees participate in some kind of alternate mode of transportation program and receive subsidies and incentives for participating.

The Commuter Program also rewards employee commuters who carpool, bicycle and use alternate means of transportation to arrive to campus.

KEY/LOCK CONTROL

The key/lock control staff cuts keys, ensures that all university facilities are secure, and works with Planning & Construction on new buildings and renovations of buildings. The Lock Shop standardizes doors and door hardware and helps ensure university facilities comply with ADA regulations. Key/Lock Control staff also work with departments when employees need to relocate and/or need to re-key their areas. The key control coordinator processes key requests and assists with re-keying projects.

RISK MANAGEMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

The Risk Management/Environmental Health & Safety Office develops and carries out programs and procedures that avoid or minimize occupational injuries and illnesses, ensuring a safe and healthful working and learning environment.  For the past decade, the University has had a lower occupational injury rate than national and CSU averages. Cal State L.A. has been recognized for its efforts within the CSU system.

Risk Management/Environmental Health & Safety provides guidance and leadership on important issues such as occupational safety, environmental control, chemical safety, biological safety, radiation safety, and risk management. The office also manages, coordinates, and maintains chemical inventory management systems covering about 200 locations on campus.