MSJC Transfers Police Services to Sheriff's Department

Photo courtesy Mt. San Jacinto College

The Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Trustees has approved a contract for services with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, effectively dissolving the MSJC Police Department.

At its June 11 meeting, trustees voted to approve a $945,492 annual contract with the Sheriff's Department that will begin on July 1, according to a news release from the college. The college district sent 14 law enforcement agencies a request for proposal and the Sheriff's Department submitted the only proposal.

The district has operated its own police department since 2003. The MSJC Police Department has nine campus safety officer positions, and there will be no layoffs associated with the new contract. The campus safety officers will assist sheriff’s officers, enforce traffic and parking regulations and patrol all district facilities on foot and in electric vehicles, among other duties.

According to the news release, the Sheriff’s Department will augment the police services by providing additional personnel, including trained school resource officers, and dispatch services. Officers will patrol district campuses in marked patrol vehicles and on foot, enforce regulations, conduct investigations and provide outreach, among other duties.

"This contract will allow Mt. San Jacinto College to continue to provide a safe learning environment for students, employees and visitors. In fact, it will enhance police services with more officers," Dr. Roger Schultz, superintendent/president, said in the news release. “We can put past struggles behind us and move toward a brighter and safer future."

According to a report in the Riverside Press-Enterprise, controversy surrounding the MSJC Police Department included the conviction of former police chief Kevin Segawa on eight felonies and two misdemeanors in 2010, including bribery, perjury and misappropriation of public funds.