2023 VCA Annual Report - UC Police Department Berkeley

The UC Police Department (UCPD Berkeley) has primary law enforcement jurisdiction on the Berkeley campus and associated University properties in Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Kensington, Oakland, and Richmond. Officers receive the same basic training as city, county and state peace officers in California, plus additional training to meet the unique needs of the Berkeley campus. The department handles all 911 related calls, campus emergencies, patrol, criminal investigations, crime prevention surveys, related law enforcement duties for the campus community, and operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week. UCPD coordinates with the City of Berkeley, operating joint patrol programs in the south campus area, and communicating at all levels to ensure the effective provision of police services. UCPDs FY22 Operating Results & FY23 Budget can be found here.

 Currently, UCPD Berkeley has 46 Officers, 66 student Community Service Officers (CSOs), and 47 professional staff employees. The department was under the leadership and command of Margo Bennett, Chief of Police until February 1, 2023; when she was succeeded by Chief Yogananda Pittman.

FY22 Accomplishments

During the FY22 academic year, UCPD Berkeley collaborated  with campus stakeholders on reimagining policing, including development of a more equitable, tiered, Mental Health Crisis Response. This new service aims to place trained mental health experts as the first responders on mental health emergencies, with police playing a supporting role. 

UCPD Berkeley also worked with campus partners to transition and implement the UC Office of the President’s UC Community Safety Plan, a tiered-response model for effective and efficient policing, while reducing harm in the community.

With the announcement of the planned retirement of Chief of Police Margo Bennett, a representative Search Committee was appointed to attract, vet, and recommend candidates for a successor. The Committee announced the position during the spring semester, 2022 and attracted more than four dozen qualified applicants from around the nation.  After a competitive search, Assistant Chief Yogananda Pittman of the United States Capitol Police was selected to be the Chief of Police. Chief Pittman was sworn-in on February 1, 2023

FY23 Goals

UCPD continues to collaborate  with campus stakeholders on reimagining policing, including development of a more equitable, tiered model with the Campus Mobile Crisis Response Team. This new service seeks to place trained mental health experts as the first responders on mental health emergencies, with police, when requested, playing a supporting role. 

UCPD Berkeley will also continue its work with campus partners to transition and implement the UC Office of the President’s UC Community Safety Plan, developing an appropriate-response model for effective and efficient policing, while reducing harm in the community.

Collaboration with local agencies to provide support for wildland fire safety awareness, response and mitigation remains a signifiant priority.

UCPD Berkeley has introduced an automated messaging system for transparent, timely communication of case information, and real time feedback surveys which will continue to be managed. The adoption of this technology aims to  provide callers with a record of their report while improving how it keeps campus community members informed and engaged. All survey responses are reviewed to help improve our services.

Image of UCPD Berkeley Command Center

UCPD Berkeley Command Center.

Image of Chief Margo Bennett and Chief Yogananda Pittman
Image of VCA Marc Fisher and Chief Pittman

VC Administration Marc Fisher and UCPD Berkeley Chief Yogananda Pittman.

FY22 Operating Results & FY23 Budget

UC Police Department
Image of UCPD logo