NORTHRIDGE : New CSUN Police Chief Is Sworn In

The new Cal State Northridge campus chief of police was officially sworn in Wednesday during a special ceremony held in school President Blenda Wilson’s temporary trailer facilities.

Edward W. Harrison, who began his duties on Aug. 2, enters his new post with 20 years of police experience in the California State University system, including seven as chief at the San Bernardino campus.

“He was given the most stunning recommendation I’ve ever heard,” said Wilson, referring to a conversation held with Cal State San Bernardino President Anthony Evans about Harrison’s candidacy.

“Chief Harrison was described as the kind of person every man wished to be--articulate, wise, professional and prepared. I immediately had my staff rush out to make him an offer,” Wilson said.

Known for his active participation in community organizations outside the school system, including a scholarship program for underprivileged San Bernardino high school students, Harrison expressed the desire to establish a working relationship with Northridge community leaders.

“I want to be involved in a variety of issues affecting the larger community,” Harrison said. “My main goal, however, is to provide the students and faculty with safe access to the education that they came to this campus for.”

Harrison, 46, replaces Stan Friedman, who was appointed director of security at the J. Paul Getty Museum in January and Lt. Marc Hissong, who acted as the interim chief during the six months after the Jan. 17 earthquake.

Harrison moves into public safety facilities that, like most of the campus, were damaged by the quake and are undergoing renovation. Harrison’s command includes 18 sworn officers and 111 full- and part-time support staff employees.

About 20 of those employees are privately contracted security guards, who were hired by the university to guard equipment in unlocked tents set up across the grounds.