PC 830.2(B), UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

In this new series of profiles, we spotlight the wide variety of California peace officer classifications that are defined under Penal Code Section 830 and represented by PORAC.

Corporal Wade Stern has been a police officer at the University of California, Riverside, for 23 years. For the past six years, he has also served as president of the Federated University Police Officers’ Association, which represents more than 350 police officers and sergeants within the University of California Police Department system. Furthermore, he has served as a PORAC director for the Statewide Chapter since 2020.

What led you to a career in this classification?

I worked at other agencies prior in non-sworn capacities, so I’ve worked at small agencies and large ones. I really liked that the University has 10 campuses from up north to down south. We are a large agency of 400, but I work at UC Riverside, which houses 36 of them. I like that we are big, but that I can still have the small-department feel. I also like that we aren’t going call to call and dealing with murders, rapists and robberies daily. We get our crime in moderation, but it’s a great balance and allows us to do more community service. It also allows us to interact with young adults and guide them. We are able to advocate for them, teach them and get them ready for the real world. It’s an all-around good vibe and allows for a good work–life balance.

What specific powers, duties and responsibilities are granted to your classification under PC 830?

We follow PC 830.2(b) but are also under Education Code 92600. PC 830.2 covers CHP, University of California, California State University and others. We are full-time police officers and have the same rights as all other city, county and CHP officers.

What specialized training or certifications are required for your job?

We attend a full-time police academy like all other agencies, which is required. We don’t have any other specific requirements; however, they do send us to additional crime prevention classes, mental health classes, etc.

Could you describe the primary jurisdictional boundaries and limitations of your authority?

Education Code Section 92600 reads, “The Regents of the University of California are authorized and empowered to appoint one or more persons to be members of the University of California police department as such police department is constituted on September 19, 1947, or may thereafter be constituted. Persons employed and compensated as members of said police department, when so appointed and duly sworn, are peace officers; provided, that such officers shall not exercise their powers or authority except (a) upon the campuses of the University of California and an area within one mile of the exterior boundaries of each thereof, (b) in or about other grounds or properties owned, operated, controlled or administered by the Regents of the University of California, and (c) as provided in Section 830.2 of the Penal Code.” Though the Education Code says our boundaries are within one mile of our properties, PC 830.2(b) allows us full statewide powers, and having campuses throughout the entire state, we can do whatever other agencies do. It’s like any city police department — their primary responsibility is the city, but they can enforce outside it. We often travel to other campuses to assist with special events, protests, etc., and we have the same uniform, badge and full authority wherever we go in the state.

What unique challenges or safety considerations does your classification face?

Working for academia instead of a city manager, we have to answer to someone who works in higher education, where public safety is not at the top of their list. Expectations are different — dealing with students and the university one minute and then crossing the street and dealing with the homeless, drugs, etc., the next.

How does your classification interact with other peace officer classifications during multiagency operations or mutual aid situations?

We all work well together and rely on each other. When we have large-scale events on campuses (graduations, concerts, controversial speakers, sporting events), we rely on officers from other campuses to come and help out, but often we also rely on our city and county agencies to come and assist to give us the numbers we need to keep the event secured. At UC Berkeley, oftentimes CHP is hired for extra bodies at the stadium, since there could be 90,000 people there. We also deal with a lot of protests, civil unrest, etc. We really rely on other agencies to assist us with getting the numbers we need to deal with the situation. At the same time, often the city or county calls us to assist them. For instance, when the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals happen in Riverside County, they need a lot of officers and reach out to all of the agencies to assist them. We send several officers every weekend to work those events.

What are some highlights of your job?

Working at other campuses, and working protests, riots and concerts. Specialty assignments (K-9s, systemwide response team, FTO, bomb teams, motors). Being able to work with a diversified group. Working and advocating for students, and being able to provide adequate resources to them.

What makes your classification integral to the overall public safety mission?

It’s specialized law enforcement. We protect approximately 295,000 students, 265,000 faculty and staff, and thousands upon thousands of guests who come to our campuses on a daily basis, with two million alumni living and working around the world. We protect free speech on campuses, respond to protests, riots, etc.

Are there any misconceptions you would like to dispel about your classification?

There is a misconception that we are just “school cops” and don’t do much. We do the same job as every other police officer, and in fact have additional things to deal with, such as large-scale events, civil unrest, etc. We have K-9s, bomb teams, SWAT officers, detectives, special enforcement officers, motors, etc. There’s no difference between what we do and what other city, county or state officers do.