UCLA to Revamp Campus Safety Policies Following Independent Audit of Violent Protest Response

Los Angeles, CA – Following a series of tumultuous events at UCLA, including a violent clash during a pro-Palestinian encampment that resulted in over 200 arrests, an independent audit has presented a number of recommendations aimed at overhauling the university’s approach to managing campus disturbances and ensuring the safety of its community.

The audit came as a directive from University of California President Michael Drake after days of unrest rocked UCLA’s Westwood campus, beginning with an attack on the encampment by counter-protesters using fireworks and pepper spray. This culminated in a significant police operation to dismantle the camp, triggering widespread concerns about the university’s readiness and response mechanisms.

Released by 21st Century Policing Solutions, the audit highlights a range of issues including inadequate performance, breakdowns in systems, and overarching campus safety challenges that were exposed during the April and May 2024 incidents. The scrutiny extends to how the university’s actions align with its stated commitments to freedom of expression and the overall well-being of the UCLA community.

One of the key recommendations from the auditor’s report is the development and training of comprehensive campus safety plans that encompass all personnel. Additionally, it suggests establishing clear decision-making protocols during emergencies, better defining the roles of campus leaders, and enhancing mutual aid agreements with other law enforcement agencies.

In response to the report, UCLA has initiated some immediate changes, including the formation of the Office of Campus Safety. This move aims to address criticisms about the confusion and delay in the law enforcement response during the initial attack on the encampment. Furthermore, the university has updated its policies related to the time, place, and manner of campus protests and the exercise of free speech.

President Drake, acknowledging the failures observed during this period, emphasized the need for a reevaluation of traditional security approaches. “Last spring, as conflict spread at universities across the country, we saw the limits of our traditional approach,” Drake stated. His remarks underline a commitment to thorough overhauls aimed at preventing similar failures in the future.

Long-term, the report advises UCLA to contemplate fundamental, structural changes to its public safety framework. This broad rethinking aims to enable a more effective delivery of public safety services, aligned not only with practical needs but also reflecting the values and priorities of the UCLA community.

The recommendations promise a broader scope, suggesting that proper implementation could not only improve responses to acts of civil disobedience but could also enhance preparedness for other low-frequency, high-impact events, including natural disasters or acts of significant violence.

As these initiatives begin to take shape, the UCLA leadership, according to audit observers, is already making strides toward these comprehensive reforms. The university’s efforts to realign its response strategies and establish a safer, more responsive public safety environment reflect a pivotal shift towards addressing complex safety dynamics in today’s university settings.