News and Notices

Spring Dates Announced for Threat Management Concepts Workshop

Join us for an informative presentation designed to build awareness and understanding of general threat management concepts. Participants will gain insights into the general principles and practices used to identify, evaluate, and manage potential risks in a university setting. This session will cover:

  •  Core components of threat assessment models
  •  The role of multidisciplinary teams in managing potential threats
  •  Concerning communications
  •  Key warning signs of escalating risk

The workshop will be offered:

  • Wednesday, March 18 – 10am - CANCELLED
  • Thursday, March 26 – 1pm
  • Thursday, April 9 – 10am
  • Thursday, April 23 – 1pm - RESCHEDULED to 5/7

Your presenter is Deputy Chief Mark Benavidez of the CSUN Department of Police Services. Mark carries over twenty years of law enforcement experience in the field of Threat assessment investigations and threat management. Mark has presented threat assessment topics at various trainings, conferences, and symposiums with partners such as the FBI, L.A. County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and the L.A. County Regional Intelligence Center.

Location: Department of Police Services Community Room (2nd floor)

To reserve a seat, please email christina.villalobos@csun.edu and specify your date of choice.

 

 

 

Photo collage of K9 Sunny and Bertie

DPS Welcomes Two New Furry Four-legged Staff to Expand Its Service to the CSUN Community!

Bertie, a German Shorthaired Pointer, will join the established K9 Unit, replacing Daisy, who retired last year. Bertie was made possible by donated funds from the National Police Dog Foundation; no state funds were used. Bertie will continue the mission in creating a safer campus by specializing in explosives detection. Bertie and her new handler, Cpl. Jerome Basal, completed a month-long POST-certified training in explosives ordnance detection and has been on patrol on campus since February 12th. As the K9 Unit has done since 2005, the team will continue to serve as a visible, approachable representative of the Department of Police Services, fostering trust and open communication with students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Sunny, a Golden Retriever, will join the department in early summer as its very first Therapy Dog! With a community-oriented policing philosophy, Sunny and his handler will emphasizes relationship-building and campus wellness through proactive engagement and outreach. The therapy dog program supports trust, approachability, and emotional well-being across campus while complementing the core law enforcement mission of the Department of Police Services. You will find Sunny participating in campus outreach events such as student orientations, residence hall programs, finals-week wellness initiatives, mental health awareness events, and community engagement activities, as well as support de-escalation and emotional support efforts during incidents or high-stress situations.

We look forward to formally debuting Bertie and Sunny to the campus community at an “all paws on deck” event later this academic year. In the meantime, if you see Bertie or Sunny on campus, we welcome you to greet them and talk with their handlers about their important impact on campus.