UCLA hires LAPD commander to head safety office

Los Angeles police Cmdr. Steve Lurie will begin work as UCLA’s associate vice chancellor for campus and community safety on Feb. 1.

Laurie replaces Rick Braziel, the former Sacramento police chief who temporarily headed the Office of Campus and Community Safety since it was established in May after the university came under heavy criticism for its response to violence that broke out at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment.

Lurie received a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 1994, majoring in cultural anthropology. He spent 27 years with the LAPD, completing his career with the department as the assistant commanding officer of the West Bureau.

Lurie was incident commander for numerous presidential visits, public demonstrations, the Oscars and other entertainment industry award shows, Super Bowl LVI and the Dodgers’ World Series victory parade.

Lurie, who also has been a lawyer for 22 years, was an adjunct professor of law at the Loyola and Pepperdine law schools. He teaches in the criminal justice master’s program at the University of Southern California.

“His track record — combined with his leadership experience, firsthand knowledge of our campus and academic insights as an adjunct professor of law — make him uniquely qualified to lead UCLA’s efforts to strengthen and connect our campus safety initiatives,” Chancellor Julio Frenk said in a statement. “Our goal is to ensure that our policies and practices are not only effective but also equitable, respecting the safety, rights and well-being of all Bruins.”