Home » UCLA hires LAPD Cmdr. Steve Lurie to lead safety overhaul following protest violence – Jobsmaa.com

UCLA hires LAPD Cmdr. Steve Lurie to lead safety overhaul following protest violence – Jobsmaa.com

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UCLA has hired a 27-year LAPD veteran and top commanding officer to lead its eight-month-old Office of Campus Security. Violent clashes last spring In a pro-Palestinian camp, this was one of the university's darkest chapters.

LAPD Cmdr. Steve Lurie, who previously oversaw the department's western bureau, will begin his duties as associate vice chancellor on February 1.

He will replace former Sacramento Police Chief Rick Brazile Hired in May Then-Chancellor Jean Black was the university's chief security officer in a new role that included responsibilities for the UCLA Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and other security initiatives.

In announcing Lurie's appointment Friday, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frank Lurie's “generations of experience, first-hand knowledge of our campus and academic insight as an associate professor of law – combined – make him uniquely qualified to lead UCLA's efforts to strengthen and integrate our campus safety initiative.”

“She will take a community-informed, collaborative approach to campus safety that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of those who call UCLA home,” said Frank, who began her role this month. “Our goal is to ensure that our policies and procedures are not only effective, but also equitable in that they respect the safety, rights and well-being of all Bruins.”

Lurie received a BA in anthropology from UCLA in 1994 and is a professor of criminal justice at USC. As a detective, he worked on domestic violence, robbery, sex crimes and homicides. He worked in the division investigating officer-involved shootings and was the department's liaison to LA's Jewish community.

“I am honored and excited to return to my alma mater in this new role,” Lurie said in an interview.

“As a proud alum, I recognize the impact my UCLA education has had on my professional and personal growth… I look forward to my first 100 days on campus as 'Safe' to listen and learn more about the safety concerns of the Bruin community. “The University is defined by more than the absence of crime.”

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell praised Lurie, saying, “The department will miss Steve's skills and dedication to the LAPD. But we are excited that he will continue to be a great partner at UCLA should he leave.”

Lurie will take over a campus security operation that has been widely criticized since the spring, when a poorly coordinated response between UCLA police, the LAPD, the California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies led to an hour-long delay after a gang-related attack. The group cited failed coordination in the fall of the Palestinian camp overnight on April 30 and May 1.

A November report 21st Century Policing Solutions, an outside policing firm hired by the University of California, reached similar conclusions.

“With no codified plans, UCLA administrators are engaged in a chaotic process. Decisions, and the ability to react quickly to rapidly changing events and changing situations on campus are often lacking,” the statement said.

In his LAPD role, Lurie was closely involved in responding to campus protests. The LAPD commission report cites Lurie several times as saying that as early as 5 a.m. on April 25, he was notified — by then-UCLA Police Chief John Thomas — that UCLA “might need some help getting through the day” as tents went up on Royce Quad.

Reports and public records show that Lurie was part of the LAPD response later in the week, including when UCLA police were reportedly overwhelmed by counter-protesters on the night of April 30 — despite a delay between those reports and requests for mutual police assistance. .

In creating a new Office of Campus Security last year, UCLA sought to better coordinate campus security to prevent future incidents like this.

Upon assuming his role, Brazile rehired Thomas, who left the department in December. It's unclear whether Thomas was fired or resigned.

Brazil It also met with criticism When the university opened for fall quarter, with an increased presence of security personnel, some students, faculty and staff were concerned.

Staying in Sacramento, Brazile was paid $52,000 a month without commuting to Los Angeles. Lurie's salary was not immediately disclosed by UCLA.

Times staff writer Libor Jani contributed to this report.

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