CSULB gets new top cop

Cal State Long Beach alumna Judi King returned to campus Monday, this time, wearing a badge.

After being sworn in during an early morning ceremony, King joined the ranks of University Police as lieutenant of operations.

"We are very excited about her joining the department," police Chief Jack Pearson said. "She has outstanding credentials that will work well within the department."

King has filled the vacancy left by Lt. Ron Perron, who retired March 17, after nine years with the campus police department.

A native of California, King grew up in Westminster and graduated from CSULB in 1976 with a degree in criminal justice. She then moved to Falls Church, Va., where she spent more than 15 years on its police force.

King was promoted to sergeant after five years as a patrol officer and was responsible for supervising several departments in her precinct, including communications, records and investigations.

But California is where King said she longed to return.

"All of my family lives here and my mother kept sending me the classifieds," King said. "It was time for me to move home."

King, who earned a master's degree in public administration from Virginia Tech, said her goal was to work in campus law enforcement.

"It's like a dream," King said. "I'm working for a campus I'm familiar with and at a job I've always wanted. You could say I'm real happy about this."

King said her plans for the department include working closely with the chief to continue providing top law enforcement for the campus community.

Ultimately, King said, she would like to teach criminal justice classes. But for now, she said she is excited to be working in a learning environment.

"Once I heard about this opening, I didn't apply for anything else," King said. "Like I told the chief when he interviewed me, this is my job.' I knew I was meant to be here."