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SAN BERNARDINO, CA – A veteran police officer recognized for creating a safe environment for students to learn, grow, and succeed has been sworn in as the new chief of the San Bernardino City Unified School District Police Department. Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden officially swore in Joseph Paulino on Tuesday, December 9 during an afternoon ceremony attended by law enforcement leaders from across Southern California. Paulino, who first joined the District as a patrolman in 1997 and worked his way up through the ranks, has held the interim chief position since July 2010.
Paulino’s strong ties in the San Bernardino community, his problem-solving skills, and his passion for making a positive difference in the lives of students made him an ideal candidate, Marsden said.
“Chief Paulino has a strong vision for making hope happen for our students and our community,” Marsden said. “With Chief Paulino in this key leadership position, our District, our schools, and our students will be safer.”
As police chief, Paulino oversees a department of 26 sworn police officers, 55 campus security officers, and more than 10 support staff. The department is responsible for ensuring the safety of the District’s 53,000 students, as well as protecting District property.
Among Paulino’s focus will be expanding opportunities for students to have positive interactions with police officers through efforts like the Junior Police Explorers Program, currently in place at King Middle School and Rodriguez PREP Academy.
“Young people are the future of this community,” Paulino said. “It is our duty to ensure that they stay on the right course to a successful and productive future.”
Under Paulino’s leadership, the District formed a Safe Schools Task Force in 2012 to improve school safety. He is a 2007 graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy, an elite, four-month training program for the nation’s top law enforcement leaders. While at the FBI Academy, Paulino had an opportunity to study the complex issue of school violence.
