Serving previously as Southwestern College’s Interim Chief Safety Officer, Bareno is a Chula Vista native who graduated from the San Diego County Sheriff's Corrections Academy. Bareno brings 10 years of law enforcement experience in higher education institutions to the table. During his time as Interim Chief Safety Officer, a role he accepted in April, Bareno oversaw 10 sworn officers and 20 civilian law enforcement professionals.
In August, the public and campus community was invited to select between two finalists for the position of Chief Safety Officer through an open, public comment period. Bareno officially began in his capacity on Sept. 15. "It has been a privilege to me to have been part of this educational institution from 1994 as a student and since 2011 as part of your College Police Department,” said Marco Bareno, Chief Safety Officer at Southwestern College. "We, at the College Police Department, understand the challenges we all endured as a community this past year and we are committed to continue to work on the long-awaited changes in law enforcement to promote awareness on issues of inclusion, social justice, diversity and equity within our community."
Southwestern College serves a diverse student body, including those from binational, foster youth and military backgrounds. As the new Chief Safety Officer, Bareno will strengthen the relationships with the diverse communities of Southwestern College while fostering a more inclusive, equitable and safe community across Southwestern College’s campuses through the community-oriented policing model. "We are excited to promote Mr. Bareno to Chief Safety Officer," said Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President at Southwestern College. "His extensive background, passion and determination embody the very foundation in which Southwestern College is established upon — integrity, respect and professional excellence. His care for the community, students, faculty and staff at Southwestern College make him an excellent professional to lead the college’s Police Department.”
