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The University of California, Los Angeles said it will create a new office dedicated to campus safety after growing criticism of authorities’ slow response to brutal attack of pro-Palestinian protesters from a crowd of “instigators“.
The school’s chancellor, Gene Block, said Sunday that urgent changes are needed to “better protect our community moving forward” and announced that a new campus safety office will oversee the university’s police department and UCLA’s Office of Management of emergency situations, “effective immediately”.
“It is clear that UCLA needs a unit and a leader whose sole responsibility is campus safety to lead us through these stressful times,” Block said in statement.
The University of California, Los Angeles has been rocked by large demonstrations and violence in recent weeks, as protests have spread across US universities in some of the largest such actions since the Vietnam War. Protesters set up a Palestinian solidarity camp in the center of campus last month.
Last weekend University clashes broke out after thousands of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators gathered at UCLA. Days later, a group of masked people marched on campus and attacked pro-Palestinian demonstrators while law enforcement and campus security watched. The violence rattled students and prompted the university to cancel classes on Wednesday. Shortly thereafter, the police broke up the pro-Palestinian camp and arrested hundreds of people.
Police and the university were condemned for their response to the violent attack on demonstrators, including by California’s governor, who called it “unacceptable.” UCLA’s police chief dismissed the criticism, telling the Los Angeles Times he did his best while union for the UC Police Departments said the blame fell on the administrators.
Block announced that Rick Braziel, who previously served as Sacramento’s police chief, will lead the new office at UCLA. Braziel has served on teams reviewing law enforcement responses to high-profile incidents, including the Uvalde school shooting in Texas.
An advisory group with members that include law enforcement, a professor and a UC community safety official will “partner” with Braziel, according to Block’s statement. UCLA and the UCLA President’s Office will review campus security processes.
“These actions are essential to creating a safe environment in which everyone at UCLA can confidently pursue their studies and careers,” Block said.
Although the camp at UCLA has been dismantled, the unrest continues. Police detained dozens of people in a university parking lot Monday morning. The campus police department told the Daily BruinUCLA’s student newspaper that officers arrested 43 people on charges of conspiracy to commit burglary. journalists and legal observers They are reported to be among those arrested. Pro-Palestinian students held a demonstration and sit-in on campus later Monday.
UCLA Office of Emergency Management send a warning on social media around 4 p.m., saying that “due to ongoing disruption,” all classes will be held remotely until May 10. Royce Hall and Powell Library will also be closed until May 10, and students and staff have been advised to avoid the area.
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