Community Information

Body-Worn Cameras

The California State University San Marcos Police Department (UPD) has equipped its uniformed patrol officers with body-worn cameras (BWC). The use of BWCs will benefit members of the campus community and UPD by increasing accountability, transparency, and strengthening the trust of those UPD serves. View our FAQs.

Campus Alerts

Bulletins are posted online to advise you of incidents that concern the safety of the university community. 

Community Complaint

Any member of the community who is dissatisfied with university police services or believes they have witnessed or been a victim of police misconduct can file a complaint. Complaints may be filed:

• In person at the department located in the Police Services Building at 425 La Moree Rd.
• By telephone at (760) 750-4567
• Or via online form

In order to appropriately respond to any complaint, it is necessary that adequate information be provided. It is requested that a Complaint Form be completed and submitted. This will allow for a thorough and complete evaluation of the complaint and permit the department to respond appropriately. A Complaint Form can be downloaded, or an online, fillable form can be submitted. The Complaint Form is also available in hard copy at the Police Department.

Once submitted, a complaint form will be sent to the Chief of Police and the lieutenant in charge who will assign the complaint to the appropriate manager for follow up. This would include the appropriate lieutenant for any law enforcement related issues, or to the appropriate civilian manager for complaints involving PACS or Emergency Management personnel.  You will receive confirmation from the assigned manager that the complaint has been received and contacted if further detail or follow up is required. Regardless, all complaints are taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.

Generally, complaint investigations are required to be completed within 30 days. If requested, you may receive notice that the investigation is complete, however, per California law, the specific action(s) taken as a result of the investigation are not typically releasable. Complaints, and any associated reports are retained for the designated retention period as mandated by law and/or CSU Chancellor’s Office retention schedules. In addition to the CSUSM UPD complaint process, and in accordance with state regulations, complaints are also reported to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) on an annual basis. These reports can be found at the following link: openjustice.doj.ca.gov/

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

CSU SYSTEMWIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES

The California State University (CSU) police department policies are developed using Lexipol, a comprehensive policy management system based on constitutional law and nationally recognized best practices. As the industry standard used by most law enforcement agencies in California, Lexipol ensures our policies remain current, legally sound, and operationally effective.

 All publicly accessible law enforcement policies are posted here to promote transparency and accountability. These policies are routinely reviewed and updated to reflect changes in state and federal law, as well as emerging standards in professional policing.

UPD & Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Cal State San Marcos and the University Police Department are committed to providing a safe and welcoming campus for everyone. We want every member of our community to know that it is safe to interact with and seek assistance from the University Police Department, no matter who you are and no matter how you self-identify.

The primary jurisdiction for the enforcement of federal immigration laws concerning unlawful entry into the United States rests with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), not with the University Police Department (UPD) or other local law enforcement agencies. Individuals will not be contacted, detained, questioned or arrested by UPD solely on the basis of being or suspected of being undocumented. More information can be found at: Community Information.