The Core of Excellence
was established in June, 1995 to serve
as an advisory team to the Chief of
Police with an objective of taking
the University Police Department (then
Public Safety) to new levels of Excellence.
The Core of Excellence serves as the
nucleus or "core" for excellence
in the department. This dedicated
group of men and women work diligently
to encourage the spirit of excellence
and service among the staff of the
San Jose State University Police Department.
Membership is voluntary
with members representing all workgroups
and ranks of the Department. In addition
to acting as a conduit to department
administration for new ideas, suggestions
and concerns, the Core of Excellence
has focused on improving the "organizational
climate" through surveys which
serve as an important indicator in
measuring progress. Five years of
Department-wide retreats organized
by the Core of Excellence have brought
the Department to a more cohesive
functional team. Today the focus of
CORE has become dealing with the seemingly
unrelenting pressure of doing more
with less.
Membership is approximately
12 people, but the roster changes
as job duties and interest dictate
and permit. There is no set time for
CORE participation—new members
are welcome and encouraged. The only
qualification to be a CORE member
is interest and a willingness to participate.
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Today, in addition to
improvement and excellence the Core is the
impetus for recognition of Department personnel.
Every day, in every job, employees do great
things, making a difference, going beyond
the expected. The Core of Excellence believes
these actions should be recognized and made
known to other Department personnel. Each
semester one employee is selected as “Employee
of the Semester” and “Student
Employee of the Semester.”
The UPD Core of Excellence
was the recipient of the California Excellence
Award presented by the California Council
for Quality & Service on March 2, 1999
for its team oriented and innovative approach
to problem solving.
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