CALIFORNIA — Multiple California State University and University of California campuses are not fully adhering to state laws regarding the transparency and oversight of military-grade equipment used by campus police. Passed in 2021, the law requires public disclosure of equipment use, annual re-approval of use policies, and public forums for feedback.

San Jose State University and San Francisco State University both possess AR-15s, according to their own reports. California State University policy does not authorize these specific campuses to own AR-15s. Amy Bentley-Smith, a Cal State spokesperson, said: "These AR-15s are standard issue, which would exempt them from the reporting requirement." Robert King, a San Francisco State University spokesperson, said: "San Francisco State's semi-automatic rifles are standard issue and won't be listed in the annual report going forward." University police departments determine which equipment is classified as standard issue.

San Jose State University's report classifies its AR-15s as specialized firearms. Cal Poly Humboldt police and Cal State Sonoma police did not hold campus forums in 2025. Klarissa Garcia, executive assistant to the chief of police at Cal State Dominguez Hills, said: "Her department does not submit its report to any governing body."

The Cal State board of trustees has not reviewed the systemwide equipment policy in a public meeting since 2022. Cal State policy requires this systemwide equipment policy to be renewed at least once a year. Bentley-Smith said: "Under the policy the board adopted, the trustees only need to check the policy again if the university system wants to authorize new types of equipment." She added: "Cal State will re-examine the policy to ensure it follows the law."

UC Berkeley university police published their equipment list on April 7 after four inquiries from CalMatters. The University of California board of regents approved UC Berkeley's annual report in September 2024. UCLA police utilized long-range acoustic devices 71 times during the 2024-25 school year. These devices are used to broadcast announcements during crowd-management situations, such as assemblies, protests, and demonstrations. UC Santa Cruz police used a long-range acoustic device to issue dispersal orders during the 2024 pro-Palestine student encampments.

Why It Matters

The 2021 California state law was enacted to increase transparency and oversight regarding military equipment use by law enforcement, including campus police departments. The legislation permits campus police to own military equipment only if they determine there is no alternative way to ensure civilian safety. The law mandates that each campus's governing board must annually re-approve equipment use policies, review a chronicle of equipment use, and maintain an inventory, along with holding a public forum for community feedback. Several California public university campuses are not in compliance with these specific requirements.