San José State University is the first public institution of higher education on the West Coast. The history of San José State began with Minns' Evening Normal School in San Francisco in 1857. This school became the California Normal School, created by the California legislature in 1862. In subsequent years, several cities attempted to get the School to relocate and San José was selected by the California legislature in 1870. The cornerstone of the school at the Washington Square site donated by the City of San José was laid on October 20, 1870. That building was completed in 1871 and the students and faculty moved from San Francisco to San Jose.

San José State University was at one time served by night watchmen and security guards. Any and all law enforcement needs were provided by the City of San Jose. As did many universities across the United States, SJSU experienced its share of demonstrations and riots in the late 1960's and 1970's.

San José State University began employing sworn armed police officers in the 1970's. On October 1, 1975, UPD officers became armed 24 hours a day by executive order of the Office of the CSU Chancellor.

UPD officers were recognized by the California Commission on Police Officers Standards and Training in 1975 and in the years since then the department has developed into a full-service law enforcement agency.