LOS ANGELES — The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is being urged to establish comprehensive plans and communication protocols as well as designated decision-making responsibilities prior to significant protests. This recommendation follows a turbulent period of student demonstrations regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict that impacted the campus earlier this year.

A recent report issued by 21st Century Policing Solutions, a national consulting firm specializing in law enforcement strategies, highlighted the chaotic reaction during the protests that occurred in late April and early May. The review pointed to the university’s insufficient readiness and crucial breakdowns in communication as the primary factors contributing to the disorder that ensued.

The university had sought this review after facing harsh criticism for its management of the protests. The clashes between opposing groups on campus resulted in over a dozen injuries, while subsequent protests led to more than 200 arrests when demonstrators refused police orders to disperse.

In an effort to control the escalating situation, law enforcement employed flash-bang devices to disperse large crowds and dismantled a makeshift barrier of wood, metal fences, and other materials than had been erected by protesters. Additionally, the police removed tents and canopies that had been set up on the premises.

The report also highlighted critical shortcomings in coordination between UCLA administrators and campus police. At times, university officials excluded the police from essential discussions and decision-making processes. This lack of communication left campus law enforcement unprepared for collaboration with external agencies, such as the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol, who were left to create a temporary strategy without the leverage of insight from local officers familiar with campus dynamics.

Moreover, the report introduced the “central tension” that many universities face about the role of law enforcement in ensuring public safety—a critical discussion UCLA needs to have with its community. The findings expressed concern that the university had not effectively navigated this tension, often sidelining police during planning stages, only to later rely on their intervention when violence escalated.

In response to the report, a UCLA representative stated the institution remains dedicated to enhancing campus safety and is already working towards implementing various recommendations. Some of these initiatives are currently in progress, indicating a proactive approach to address the issues highlighted in the review.