The University of California Police Department (UCPD) operates 24 hours-per-day, 365 days a year. It is the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all 9-1-1 system calls originating from telephones located at UCR, meaning that responses to all 9-1-1 calls (Police/Fire/Medical emergencies) are coordinated through the UCPD. The department is an authorized terminal user of all local, regional, state and federal criminal justice information systems (e.g., wanted persons, DMV, stolen vehicles/property, criminal records, etc.). UCPD employs Police Officers and Community Service Officers (CSOs) to deliver public safety services to the campus community.

Our goal is to provide timely and appropriate responses to community problems and needs.

Police officers of the University of California Police Department are armed, duly sworn peace officers of the State of California. Empowered by section 830.2(b) of the California Penal Code, UCPD officers possess the same authority, and adhere to the same state-mandated standards, as municipal police officers. Therefore, under California law, UCPD officers may enforce laws and make arrests anywhere in the state however, we concentrate our efforts on the campus and its immediate environs. Our department enjoys a positive and close working relationship with the City of Riverside Police Department, with whom we share proximity, mutual interests, and geographic jurisdiction.

UCPD officers may work in uniform or plain-clothes. They provide a full range of police related services, including: primary emergency responses; preventative patrols; initial investigation of observed, reported, or suspected crimes; enforcement of all applicable laws; follow-up and specialized criminal investigations; crime prevention; community liaison and relations; V.I.P./dignitary protection; special event security; traffic activities (enforcement and accident investigations); parking enforcement; and, on occasion, campus escorts of students, faculty, or staff.

Persons arrested by the UCPD officers are processed in accordance with prevailing practices in Riverside County, which can include: citation and release; booking into the Riverside County Jail; filing of charges with, and prosecution through, the District Attorney's Office; and formal trial.

Additionally, UCR affiliates (student, faculty, staff) may be subject to additional (administrative/Code of Conduct) sanctions.

Community Service Officers (CSOs) are student employees. They wear distinctive shirts and/or jackets, are not armed, and perform many specialized services for the community, including: special event security, contract security patrols (e.g, campus housing areas, Physical Education facilities), campus building security checks/unlocks/lock-ups, and occasional campus escorts.