This post was updated Aug. 3 at 9:16 p.m.
UCLA has chosen LAPD Commander Craig Valenzuela to be its next chief of police.
Valenzuela will step into the role Sept. 1, according to an email from Steve Lurie, the associate vice chancellor for campus and community safety. UCPD has been led by Interim Chief Scott Scheffler since October 2024, after former Interim Chief Gawin Gibson was placed on administrative leave.
[Related: UCPD appoints Scott Scheffler as new acting chief of police]
Valenzuela graduated from UCLA in 1996 with a degree in political science and attended the University of Southern California for his master’s degree. He also graduated from the LAPD Command Development Program and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. He was formerly the commanding officer of both the LAPD North Hollywood Patrol Division and Metropolitan Division, according to the email.
UCLA has transitioned between three police chiefs – one permanent and two interim – within the last two years. Former Chief John Thomas told the Daily Bruin that he had been “temporarily reassigned” in May 2024, following the police sweep of the Palestine solidarity encampment, which resulted in the arrests of over 200 protesters.
[Related: UCLA Police Chief John Thomas ‘temporarily reassigned’ from duties]
Counter-protesters also attacked the encampment on the night of April 30, 2024, and into the early morning of May 1, 2024, throwing fireworks, a scooter and tear gas into the area. While Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor of strategic communications, said law enforcement had been called for “immediate support” in a statement around midnight May 1, 2024, police did not intervene until over two hours later.
UCPD has also faced criticism for its handling of on-campus protests, which have included arresting student activists and deploying police in riot gear – equipped with less-than-lethal weapons – on crowds.
[Related: Three pro-Palestine protesters arrested during encampment attack anniversary rally]
“Chancellor Frenk has stated that UCLA’s safety and security is his ‘meta-priority,’” Lurie said in a Monday press release. “As the administrator charged with carrying out that mission, I am humbled, honored and grateful to have Chief Valenzuela join our team.”
