Moorpark College Lieutenant Andrew Huisenga, a role model for those around him, talks about how he and campus safety aim to support college students.

Huisenga discussed how he ended up working for campus safety on the Moorpark College campus. Huisenga also talked about the programs they provide and how college community outreach is important to him and the entire campus safety department.

After attending Moorpark College and playing on the baseball team for two years and transferring to California Lutheran University, Huisenga joined the United States Army where he worked as military police for two years.

When Huisenga got out of the U.S. Army, he joined law enforcement, graduated from the Los Angeles Police Department Academy and worked under them for two years.

Following his time in the U.S. Army and on deployment, Huisenga believed it was a good idea to work in a more safe environment. After he ran into the former Lieutenant of Moorpark College campus safety Steve Cagely, Huisenga thought it was a good idea to apply for a position within the Moorpark College campus safety department. He has been a police officer for a total of 15 years, 12 of which are within the safety department.

“I never really thought I’d work at a college, it was just kinda by chance,” explained Huisenga.

A big part of Huisenga’s life has been spent dedicated to the college and municipal community. Along with the regular roles of a police department like investigating crimes, conducting traffic accident reports and traffic stops for vehicle violations, campus safety’s main goal is to protect its campus.

Huisenga also explained that they do things like vehicle unlocks, vehicle jumpstarts, unlock offices and classrooms for staff.

“Our responsibility is no different than a municipal police department but what makes us unique is our primary function is the faculty, students and staff here at the college,” said Huisenga. “The thing that’s nice about working on a college campus is we can help people more when it’s not just in an emergency or serious situation.”

In association with the college, campus safety runs the Cadet Program for student workers. Police cadets need to be full-time students taking at least 12 units and are able to work up to 20 hours a week learning valuable skills to help them develop their knowledge of law enforcement.

“For the cadets in the cadet program, their primary thing is going out there and citing parking violations for no permits and things of that nature,” Huisenga added. “They also do the live scans when people are hired by the district as well as working the front desk of the station greeting people as they come in and answering phones and a bunch of other administrative tasks.”

Matthew Burciaga, a police cadet at Moorpark College and a student at Cal Lutheran University, talks about his respect and admiration towards Lieutenant Andy.

“He was in the military and then became a police officer so I really respect him for his service and continuing service to the Moorpark College community,” Burciaga shared. “Overall, I think that he’s a great person in that he’s very friendly and motivated.”

First-semester Moorpark College student and new police cadet Maxwell Kearney, explains how Huisenga has helped him through joining the program. After hearing about the program from a friend, Kearney joined the police cadets months after their conversation.

“Lt. Andy has been guiding me throughout the process and helping me understand many of the responsibilities I’ve been given,” said Kearney. “He’s extremely helpful and very understanding about matters that may come up, educational, personal and otherwise.”

Huisenga takes pride in his interactions within the community and speaks with athletic programs like the football team in order to build relationships with the campus.

By establishing those relationships and getting to know people on a personal level, he believes that the college community and police department work hand in hand. The eyes and ears of the students and staff on campus are the best things to deter crime because they get to hear everything that’s going on.

“I’ll try and go in at the start of each semester and talk to the programs and introduce myself to their players just so they don’t see you so much as a police officer or law enforcement,” stated Huisenga.

In addition to meeting with athletic programs, he also talks to The High School at Moorpark College located on campus about active shooters and drills.

The High School at Moorpark College is a dual enrollment program that fulfills the requirements for graduation while taking Moorpark College electives. By sharing some advice if ever put in that situation, Huisenga further develops his relationships with the community.

“One thing that I want them to know is that we truly are here for the students, staff and faculty. Without them, there’s no need for us,” said Huisenga.