LAPD Commander Craig Valenzuela Named UCLA Campus Police Chief

UCLA has appointed LAPD Commander Craig Valenzuela as the new chief of campus police, effective September 1, 2025. Valenzuela, a UCLA alumnus with a degree in political science and a master’s from USC, brings over two decades of law enforcement leadership, including commanding roles in the LAPD's North Hollywood Patrol and Metropolitan Divisions. His selection follows criticism of UCLA's police response to the 2024 campus protests related to the Hamas-Israel conflict and a period of leadership instability with multiple interim chiefs. Chancellor Julio Frenk emphasized Valenzuela's experience and commitment to inclusive, modern policing as vital for campus safety, especially with UCLA preparing to host the 2028 Olympics. Valenzuela is also a graduate of prestigious law enforcement programs such as the FBI National Academy and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. The appointment came after a nationwide search and a committee review involving UCLA faculty, students, and law enforcement professionals.