This post was updated Sept. 19 at 3:24 p.m.

The UC Board of Regents’ Compliance and Audit Committee approved the allocation of drones, tear gas and less-than-lethal weapons to UCPD on Thursday.

The board authorized the allocation of three drones, 3,000 rounds of pepper bullets and eight munition launchers to the UCLA police department. Protesters also disrupted the meeting, chanting their opposition to the purchases.

Under California Assembly Bill 481, UCPD must receive approval of a Military Equipment Use Policy by the UC Board of Regents prior to the “funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.” 

“All these tools are meant to provide officers with the ability to de-escalate or overcome self- destructive, dangerous or combative individuals without having to resort to deadly force,” the request said. “These tools are not used indiscriminately but with caution to protect the lives of UC community members/visitors and UC officers when bringing an incident to a conclusion with the least amount of force.”

While UCPD must submit annual requests to receive military equipment, pro-Palestine student groups have expressed concern that requested equipment could be used to shut down protests across campus. During the May 2 sweep of the first Palestine solidarity encampment, police used batons and less-than-lethal weapons on protesters.

“UCLA is requesting drones, kinetic energy weapons and munitions to surveil and shoot at people protesting against genocide,” the UC Divest Coalition at UCLA wrote in an Instagram post. “The Regents are focused on maximizing the UC’s capacity to brutally and violently repress people of conscience.”

UCLA police requested the most equipment out of all UC campuses and a larger amount than it did the previous year. In 2023, UCLA solely requested sponge bullets, in comparison to its 2024 request of sponge bullets, pepper bullets, launchers, drones and tear gas.

However, UC Office of the President spokesperson Stett Holbrook said in a written statement to the Daily Bruin that UCPD’s request is a standard procedure and was not provoked by a specific incident. He added in the statement that none of the requested equipment is military-grade, and it does not come from the United States Department of Defense.

“In spite of the nomenclature in AB 481, UCPD’s equipment is not military surplus, nor is it military-grade or designed for military use,” Holbrook said in the statement. “The University’s use of this equipment provides UC police officers with non-lethal alternatives to standard-issue firearms, enabling them to de-escalate situations and respond without the use of deadly force.”

Holbrook also said in the statement that many of the requested items will serve as replacements for items used by UCPD in training. The drones will assist in search and rescue missions, crime scene reconstruction and acquisition of aerial data, he added in the statement. 

During the meeting, UC systemwide director of community safety Jody Stiger said less-than-lethal weapons are not “primarily” ordered for crowd control or peaceful protests. However, he added that they may be used during protests where law enforcement and campus leadership have deemed it necessary for law enforcement to utilize force to defend themselves.

“The main use of less-than-lethal munitions is to provide law enforcement with options other than lethal force during life-threatening circumstances,” he said. “Less-than-lethal munitions may be used during protests that have become violent.”

As the regents began discussion on the item, around 50 pro-Palestine protesters entered the meeting, shouting, “Why did you shoot us?” and, “Free, free Palestine.” Regent Jay Sures – the chair of the regents’ Compliance and Audit Committee – adjourned the meeting shortly after the disruptions began. 

“You can disrupt the meeting. We’re going to clear the room,” he said. “It’s not going to be productive.”

Around 40 UCPD officers in riot gear surrounded protesters who remained in the room following the adjournment of the meeting. A spokesperson for UCPD declared the protest an “unlawful assembly” and ordered protesters to evacuate within three minutes.

Protesters then left the room.

AB481 requires UCPD to host a community engagement meeting to discuss the military equipment report within 30 days of its submission to the regents.

Contributing reports by Sam Mulick, features and student life editor.