UC Law SF Entering Public Safety Partnership with UCSF Police Department

SAN FRANCISCO -June 22, 2016 -The University of California Hastings College of the Law Board of Directors has approved a proposal to broaden the college’s police and support services through a public safety partnership with the University of California San Francisco Police Department.

The partnership builds upon several other current collaborations and joint contracts between the two universities. The two campuses currently collaborate on the Consortium on Law, Science & Health Policy and are launching a fully online Masters of Science, Health Policy and Law degree program this fall. UCSF and UC Law SF are also working together to jointly develop new campus housing in San Francisco’s Civic Center and Tenderloin neighborhoods that could offer up to 1,120 units for students and trainees. And UC Law SF contracts with UCSF for business center services and participates in a number of UC system services, including investment management, payroll processing, health benefit plans and the UC retirement system.

The UCSF Police Department’s mission will be to enhance safety at UC Law SF by working in partnership with the community to promote public safety and crime prevention through education and enforcement; to maintain public order while preserving the legal rights of individuals; to provide effective, efficient and courteous service; and to reduce the incidence and impact of crime.

“Our location in the heart of San Francisco is a great benefit,” said UC Law SF Acting Chancellor and Dean David Faigman. “Within steps of our campus are the courts where some of the most groundbreaking cases of our times are being heard, corporate headquarters for some of the most innovative companies in the world, and a wide array of social justice oriented and support services for vulnerable populations. At the same time, there are street-level issues at play that pose challenges to the safety and security of the community. This partnership represents a proactive, all-encompassing, and long-term approach to enhancing the safety and security of our campus and surrounding environment.”

The UCSF Police Department will replace the college’s existing Public Safety Department, giving the UC Law SF community access to a broader range of law enforcement and support services that the college itself could not provide as a standalone law school, including:

• A Field Services Division consisting of uniformed patrol services to ensure a safe and secure environment for the campus community and visitors.
• An Investigative Services Division to conduct investigations on major crimes.
  UCSF’s 911 Emergency Communications Center.
• A Security Services Division consisting of Security Services, WeID Services and Property & Evidence.
• A Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, responsible for implementing advanced emergency preparedness protocols.
• A Professional Standards Division, responsible for developing and regulating policies and procedures implemented by the Police Department.

Of further key benefit to UC Law SF, 24/7 UCSF Police and Security Services will be supported by the UCSF business infrastructure, including:

• Collaboration with the UCSF Human Resource Department in attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining a diverse workforce.
• Partnership with the UCSF Labor and Employee Relations (LER).
• Support from the UCSF Office of Legal Affairs for legal advice on applicable laws and regulations, institutional policy, decision-making, and legal problem solving.

Implementation & Cost

The resolution regarding law enforcement services, adopted at the June 17th Board of Directors meeting, gives tentative approval for a contract between UC Law SF and the University of California San Francisco Police Department (UCSFPD) for the provision of police services by UCSFPD, subject to collective bargaining with the Public Safety Officers’ Association.

UC Law SF will continue to invest in and support all existing services as the transition plan and timeline is finalized in the coming months, including stakeholder meetings and community input sessions.

Affected members of the UC Law SF Public Safety officer’s unit have been presented various employment options if they meet required qualifications, as police officers, security guards, or security guard supervisors for the UCSF Police Department. For officers who do not qualify (or elect to not apply) for jobs with the UCSF Police Department or alternative positions with UC Law SF, the College will offer conscientious separation terms.

UC Law SF is proud to have kept its tuition flat for the fifth consecutive year and has no plans to increase its tuition in the near future. The current service array including all security related budget allocations totals $1.8 million including indirect costs. With the added services and depth provided by the UCSF Police Department, UC Law SF will be paying more, $1.9 million.

“The College’s investment of this amount reflects the importance given by the school to providing a safer, more secure environment for our students, faculty and staff as well as our neighbors and other community partners,” said CFO David Seward. “This change is a prudent course of action given current conditions and the imperative that we do all we can to protect the well-being of the UC Law SF community. ”

About UC Law SF

University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco is redefining legal education through our experiential, interdisciplinary, and international approach to the law. We integrate rigorous academics with hands-on practice, preparing our graduates to tackle the legal challenges-and leverage the opportunities-of the 21st century.

Media Contact
Alex A.G. Shapiro
Director of External Relations
UC Law SF College of the Law
Office: (415) 581-8842
Cell: (415) 813-9214
Email: shapiroa@uclawsf.edu