SDSU Police Department
Special Operations Unit
The mission of the Special Operations Unit (SOU) is to identify and proactively address serious, complex, or chronic crime issues that impact the SDSU community. The unit aggressively combats these quality of life issues by applying creative crime fighting strategies consistent with current community-oriented philosophies that are aimed at providing long term solutions. The Special Operations Unit will follow up on and investigate those on-going criminal activities that, due to their duration, cannot be resolved during regular patrol shifts. The Special Operations Unit is also tasked with supporting the patrol division in its patrol activities during periods of high activity or during special circumstances.
The Special Operations Unit also promotes and coordinates department efforts with allied agencies at the local, state and federal level and represents the SDSU Police Department at county-wide operations. As an example, SOU officers have worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration, San Diego County Probation and Parole, Metropolitan Transit Security and the Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce.
The SDSU Special Operations Unit consists of a Captain, Sergeant and two officers. The unit’s primary areas of responsibility include:
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Quality of life issues that impact the community
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Auto Theft and Auto Burglary Prevention and Education
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Drug Enforcement and Education
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Gang Enforcement and Education
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Alcohol Enforcement and Education
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Thefts and burglaries (bicycles, computers, etc.)
SOU has worked on several large scale operations to improve the learning environment at SDSU. In 2008, Operation Sudden Fall was created as a joint operation between the SDSU Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The operation was started after the death of a student from a drug overdose. The operation resulted in 96 arrests -- including 75 students -- arrested on a variety of drug charges as a result of Operation Sudden Fall. At the time it was the largest campus drug bust in San Diego County history and one of the largest college drug busts in U.S. history.
SOU has also partnered with SDSU Associated Students and the Spanos Family to provide free steering wheel lock anti-theft devices to students. At a recent campus safety day event, SOU officers handed out hundreds of free anti-theft devices while providing education to students on how to prevent auto theft and burglary.
The Special Operations Unit is committed to maintaining safety at SDSU for students, faculty and staff, through proactive law enforcement.
This page last updated May 10, 2010
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