Careers
Thank you for your interest in the California State University, Northridge Department of Police Services. As an accredited law enforcement agency, we pride ourselves on our professional standards that provide the basis for our operational policies and procedures. Our department is synonymous with excellence, professional performance, and innovative practices. We set a high performance bar for professionalism and community service for our officers to ensure they operate with a community policing style in an environment supportive of educational, professional, and extracurricular activities. We encourage all qualified men and women to learn more about and consider the advantages of policing in the higher education environment along with the excellent state benefits and opportunities available for professional development and policing assignments.
Non-Sworn Positions
The Department of Police Services offers over 15 classifications of non-sworn positions, including police dispatcher and parking enforcement officer. Visit the Office of Human Resources to view job descriptions for those positions currently open and in recruitment.
California State University, Northridge, long known for the intellectual, social, and cultural relevance of its 171 academic programs and engaged centers; embraces innovation in community service, and hands-on experience and rigor. A minority-serving University in a globally diverse region, it is a national leader in preparing teachers for K-12 and first generation college students for graduate studies. Cal State Northridge is a park-like campus located in the San Fernando Valley with 1.8 million people, 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
California State University, Northridge is a vibrant, diverse university community that was founded in 1958 as the San Fernando Valley State College. The 356-acre campus of California State University, Northridge is situated in the heart of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. The University is the third largest of the 23-campus California State University systems and one of the nation’s 50 largest universities and colleges, with more than 36,000 students as well as 4,000 faculty and staff. Of these individuals, over 2,500 reside within the university residential areas.
Sworn Positions
University police officers are sworn, State peace officers vested with full law enforcement authority including arrest authority. Officers meet training requirements mandated by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training as well as training designed to meet the needs of the university community.
Under general supervision, performs primary responsibilities including protecting students, faculty, staff, campus visitors, property and facilities from accidents, bodily harm, fire, theft, vandalism and illegal entry; enforcing laws and traffic regulations; apprehending violators; providing general information and assistance to the public; and assisting in investigations. Patrols campus buildings and grounds by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, and vehicle; controls crowds during assemblies or disturbances; guards property; investigates and prepares reports on accidents, property damage, fires, law violations, thefts and disturbances of the peace; and gathers evidence, makes arrests, and appears in court as required. Provides a wide range of activities including emergency response, community policing, traffic control and enforcement (including enforcing parking regulations), providing crime prevention services and education, administering first aid to injured persons, and providing other policing tasks as required; performs other duties as assigned. The department has special assignments available in a wide range of areas. These assignments and training opportunities include:
- K9 Unit
- Motorcycle Patrol/Traffic Safety Unit
- FTO (Field Training Officer)
- Bicycle Patrol
- Investigations Unit
- Threat Assessment Unit
- CRU (Critical Response Unit)
- Weaponless Defense Instructor
- Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor
- Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Instructor
- CPR/First Aid Instructor
- Child Safety Seat Technician
Selection Process for a Police Officer:
Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirements at the time of application are:
• U.S. Citizenship
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• Graduation from US high school or equivalent, college degree is preferred
• No felony convictions; fingerprint and criminal history check
• A thorough background investigation, in compliance with California P.O.S.T. standards, to ensure good moral character
• Medical and psychological suitability examinations, in compliance with P.O.S.T. standards
• Valid CA driver license and good driving record
Requirements include that the applicant has high ethical standards, integrity, morals, leadership skills and be service oriented. This career demands mature, responsible individuals who are willing to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.
To Apply
Interested applicants must apply online to the CSUN Office of Human Resources. Application are not accepted in any other format. You must also upload a resume with your online application and you may also attach additional documents such as a POST certificate. The university no longer accepts applications in person, by mail, email or fax. Please note there is not a separate posting for lateral applicants. Lateral applicants, cadets, entry-level applicants all apply to the same job posting/pool. On the Human Resources website, look for the "Police Officer/Cadet" job posting.
CSUN Office of Human Resources conducts an initial screening of all applications, ensuring applicants meet the minimum qualifications of the position. Subsequently, applications undergo a second screening by the Department of Police Services, and only selected applicants will move forward in the process. Filing an application does not ensure selection in the process. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Christina Villalobos at (818) 677-7922 or by email.
Physical Abilities Test (PAT) & Written Exam (PELLETB)
Applicants who are selected to participate in the testing process will be notified by mail of the next opportunity to take the POST Physical Abilities test and written Entry-level Law Enforcement Test Battery. The physical abilities portion is composed of five components, shown below. Each of the five components are pass/fail.
1. Obstacle course: Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of sharp turns, curb height obstacles, and vault a 34-inch high obstacle.
2. Body Drag: Lift and drag a 165 lb. life-like dummy 32 feet.
3. Chain-link fence climb: Run 5 yards to a 6-foot chain link-fence. Climb over and continue running 25 yards.
4. Solid-wall climb: Run 5 yards to a 6-foot solid wall. Climb over and continue running 25 yards.
5. 500-yard run: Run 500 yards.
The written POST Entry-level Law Enforcement Test Battery evaluates an applicant’s reading comprehension, grammar and spelling competencies. The POST applicant preparation guide includes a sample of the Law Enforcement Entry Level Test Battery (PELLETB). If you have taken the PELLETB for another agency within the last year from the time of application, you may be eligible to waive the written exam for CSUN PD's process. You will need to submit your scores only after being notified that you have been selected for the next testing process.
The written exam is sent to POST headquarters in Sacramento for scoring and CSUN PD will notify all test takers of their score via US mail approximately 2 weeks following the exam.
Note: Lateral candidates, POST certified academy graduates, and current academy cadets MAY WAIVE the physical agility and written examination if you provide documentation of your eligibility to do so.
Pre-Screening Interview
A brief, one-on-one pre-screening interview is conducted in order to determine an applicant's work history, plans for a career in law enforcement, and provides an opportunity for your application and resume to be reviewed. Not all candidates who participate in a pre-screening interviewed are moved forward in the process.
Panel Interview & Chief’s Interview
For those applicants who successfully pass both the physical abilities test and written examination (if applicable) and the pre-screening interview, the next step in the application process is an interview with a diverse panel comprised of CSUN police department staff and staff/faculty members associated with the University who will assess the oral communication skills and other factors of the candidate. The oral board panel will make recommendations to the Chief of Police of who should move forward to the Chief’s interview. The Chief of Police will determine which candidate(s) will undergo the background investigation.
Background Investigation
A thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check, will be conducted in order determine the candidate’s suitability for the position of police officer. Background investigations are done in accordance to POST standards and requirements.
Medical & Psychological Evaluation
Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted to ensure applicants are free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer. Medical evaluation includes drug testing.
Final Review and Appointment
When the background investigation is completed, the final report is submitted to the Chief of Police for final review. It is the decision of the Chief of Police to determine suitability for employment. A completed background investigation does not guarantee employment, it is simply a review and evaluation of information with the discretion to hire solely up to the Chief of Police.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Christina Villalobos at (818) 677-7922 or by email.
Benefits for Sworn Police Officers
Please see the CSUN Human Resources web page at www.csun.edu/benefits/employee-benefits-summaries and click on "Public Safety (Unit 8)."
About the CSUN Police Department
In 1958, when the California State University, Northridge police department was established, “security guards” received calls for service via a steam whistle on top of the boiler plant on campus. That whistle would be the signal for a guard to call the office and find out where they had to go for whatever type of problem they needed to handle. Apparently it happened very rarely and the campus was pretty much bucolic.The department has grown significantly since that time. In January 1974, the department became a POST certified agency. All sworn personnel are certified by the California Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST). Most notably, in May 2008, the Department of Police Services became accredited by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
Fifty years after being founded, the department has progressed to be a highly trained, professional police force striving to be the very best in the California State University system. Gone are the days of steam whistles! The department’s new 26,500 square foot facility opened to the public in April 2007. The state-of-the-art Communications Center is equipped with customized consoles and temperature controls for the comfort of each dispatcher. A Title 15-approved detention facility and a forensic laboratory for immediate testing and analysis of evidence and property complete the cutting-edge structure.
The primary jurisdiction of the university police department, according the California Penal Code, is a one-mile radius beyond the perimeter of the campus. However, according to case law CSU police departments have jurisdiction throughout the state of California. As a practical matter, the department patrols the campus as well as the surrounding neighborhoods.
More information on the history of the CSUN Police Department
Contact Us
EMERGENCY: 911
TEXT to 911: Text Your Emergency & Location to CSUN PDNon-Emergency (24 hrs.) 818-677-2111
We Tip Hotline 818-677-TIPS (8477)
An Accredited Law Enforcement Agency
