With the sudden departure of the Sierra College Police Chief Greg Murphy and a shrinking state budget, the school turned to the Rocklin Police Department to take over law enforcement responsibility on campus.

“What we are doing is taking over that responsibility to contract officers on campus, and in turn, give them the security necessary which they are truly liable for under the law,” said Rocklin Police Chief Mark Siemens.

As of Monday, Rocklin Police is contracted to post two officers on campus from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and handle any peace officer duties needed by campus dispatch and students requesting emergency assistance on a regular basis any time of the day or night.

Siemens said the deal would allow the city to hire two additional police officers for the campus duty. He said it’s expected to be cost-neutral for the city, as the college will pay for the new help.

Sierra College spokeswoman Sue Michaels said parents and students won’t notice any change.

“Parking will still be enforced and officers patrolling the campus will now be Rocklin PD,” Michaels said. “Combining efforts in this environment, where everyone is in a pinch, makes sense.”

According to Michaels, Murphy accepted a job with the State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, which sets training standards for California law enforcement agencies.

“We needed to do something right away,” Michaels said. "It would take years to build a police force with all of the resources of the Rocklin PD, so with our new interim contract we are actually getting more than sufficient services." The school moved its two remaining officers to its Nevada County campus, but dispatch, parking enforcement and some security guard duties will be retained by others on campus. Unlike some colleges, Sierra College houses an on-campus dorm. Siemens said his officers would rely on campus authorities to call them for service after hours.

“They have their own supervisors in the dorm,” Siemens said. “We would respond to that like an apartment complex.”

Chief Siemens said students and citizens will benefit from a streamlined emergency response.

“I believe having some continuity in policing of a facility that has 18,000 people will add to the safety of the campus and also our city,” Siemens said.

The city studied a similar proposal in 2006 but the college walked away from the deal, according to city officials. Now Michaels said with severe economic pressures, the college may be forced to ink a long-term deal.

“We have been working in partnership with them for a long time,” Michaels said. “I think it is going to work out great.”

The exact cost of the 120-day contract was not released. The Sierra College Board of Trustees is expected to request a longer term contract from the city as early as their next meeting on Nov. 10.