The union representing campus police officers at the University of California schools has criticized UCLA administrators for their handling of the recent violence on campus. The union’s president stated that the university’s guidelines clearly state that administrators are responsible for determining the objectives of the response to protests, while campus police are only responsible for implementing tactics. The union emphasized that UCLA administrators must take ownership of the fallout from the response to the recent protest violence.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected officials have called for investigations into the university and police response following an attack on a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus.
Observers noted that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, was allowed to continue for several hours with minimal police intervention until officers in riot gear restored order around 3 a.m.
In a message to the UCLA community, Chancellor Block referred to the clashes as the work of “instigators” who aimed to “forcefully attack the encampment.”
The governor’s office criticized the “limited and delayed campus law enforcement response,” deeming it unacceptable.
Dr. Drake, president of the University of California, has requested a detailed account of the events and initiated an external review of UCLA’s planning and actions, as well as the effectiveness of the mutual aid response.
The UC Board of Regents convened a special meeting to discuss campus encampments and the university system’s response.
Mr. Stern, president of the police union, outlined key questions that the independent probe should address:
- Have UCLA administrators received required training in crowd management, mediation, and de-escalation techniques?
- Were simulations for civil disobedience scenarios conducted as mandated?
- Did UCLA administrators collaborate with law enforcement agencies for joint training and scenario planning?
- Was a delayed response by outside agencies due to the absence of a written response plan?
- Did UCLA administrators instruct UC police to refrain from intervening during the attacks?
Organizers of the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment had issued demands related to divestment from companies linked to Israel and a call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The UC responded to calls for boycotts and divestment from Israel, emphasizing its commitment to academic freedom and the exchange of ideas on campus.
Chancellor Block is scheduled to testify before Congress regarding the campus’s response to antisemitism and measures to protect Jewish students.
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