Campus safety begins with visibility, conversation and trust, Steven J. Griffin said as he formally took the helm of the Cal State San Bernardino University Police Department. 

Griffin outlined that approach Sept. 4 as he was formally sworn in as chief. The ceremony at the Santos Manuel Student Union South Events Center brought together his family, fellow law enforcement officers, university administrators, staff and students, and representatives of the region’s elected officials.

“My commitment is simple: Serve this university community with integrity, professionalism, compassion and accountability,” Griffin said. “We will continue to embrace community-based policing, work together to strive for a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where every student, faculty and staff member and visitor feels safe to learn, work and thrive.”

CSUSB President Terri Gómez said effective campus policing depends not only on responding to emergencies but also on officers understanding the university community they serve.

“It’s about officers who know our students by name, who understand that a 19-year-old away from home for the first time needs something different than a stranger in trouble on the streets, and who see themselves as part of this Coyote community, not apart from it,” Gómez said. “That’s the kind of leadership I know Chief Griffin brings, and it’s exactly what Cal State San Bernardino needs as we continue to grow.”

Griffin is a veteran law enforcement officer with extensive experience overseeing public safety at colleges and school districts. He comes to CSUSB from the Chaffey Community College District Police Department, where he served as chief of police and director of public safety beginning in March 2024. In that role, Griffin directed daily police operations, managed emergency planning and worked with administrators, faculty, staff, students and regional law enforcement agencies.

In his remarks, he said that he would continue to build on the department’s foundation of trust and relationships with the campus community by being visible, accountable and serving. 

“You will see our officers throughout the campus. We will be on campus not only to solve problems, but to be a member of this community,” he said. “We will listen, we will encourage, we will build relationships, and when our community needs us, we will be there. As your police chief, my door is open and my commitment to the university is unwavering.”

Group phot of the University Police Department and Parking and Transportation Services staff

Amira Shalabi, CSUSB Associated Students Inc. president, said she looked forward to working with Griffin.

“One thing I've already learned since becoming ASI president is some of the best ideas and opportunities come from simply sitting down, having conversations and working together,” Shalabi said. “That's exactly what I'm looking forward to doing here with you. I know our students appreciate leaders who are visible, approachable and willing to listen, and I'm excited to continue building a strong partnership between ASI and the University Police Department.”

Before his time at Chaffey College, Griffin served as interim police chief and director of public safety for the Fontana Unified School District from January 2022 to February 2024. His responsibilities included managing the district’s Emergency Operations Center and coordinating police, security and protective services throughout the district.

Griffin spent more than 17 years with the Montclair Police Department. As a sergeant and watch commander, he supervised field and station personnel, internal affairs investigations, performance evaluations and several specialized programs.

His assignments in Montclair also included detective, field training officer and crime suppression officer. He investigated homicides, robberies, assaults, hate crimes and terrorism-related incidents, and supervised detectives during critical incidents and active investigations.

Griffin began his policing career in educational settings, serving with the Riverside Community College District and Baldwin Park Unified School District police departments. At Baldwin Park, he worked as a school resource officer, gang officer, field training officer and canine handler.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California Coast University and holds California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory, management, and executive certificates. Griffin also completed the California Police Chiefs Association’s Executive Leadership Institute with the Druker School of Management at the Claremont Graduate University.

He was named Montclair Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2008 and Baldwin Park School Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2003.