An investigation into California's public colleges and universities has revealed that many campus police departments possess military-grade weapons, including AR-15-style rifles, flash grenades, and sonic devices known as the “Voice of God.” The findings come as a CalMatters review found numerous institutions have not fully complied with a 2021 state transparency law requiring disclosure of such equipment, its usage, and opportunities for public input.
Under the law, campus police can only acquire military equipment if no reasonable alternative exists for public safety. Schools are mandated to publish annual inventories, detail equipment usage, and hold public meetings for community engagement. However, compliance has been inconsistent, with some universities failing to post required inventories online or omitting crucial details like equipment quantities and manufacturers.
Several campuses also reported difficulties demonstrating that required public forums were held or adequately publicized. The investigation highlighted inconsistencies in how weapons were categorized, with San Jose State University and San Francisco State University reporting AR-15-style rifles despite the California State University system's policy not explicitly authorizing them. A CSU spokesperson stated these rifles are considered standard-issue, exempting them from certain reporting, while San Jose State's own report classified them as specialized firearms.
One notable piece of equipment identified is the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) used by UCLA police. These devices can project amplified voice commands over distances and are nicknamed “Voice of God.” UCLA officials stated they use them solely as public-address systems during crowd management and not to emit loud warning tones. Records indicate UCLA deployed these devices dozens of times during the 2024-25 academic year, primarily during protests and large gatherings.
San Jose State University's inventory also listed tear-gas grenades and a submachine gun, which the department stated it does not intend to use and plans to destroy. The transparency law has prompted some colleges to reevaluate their equipment. Compton College, for instance, adopted its first military equipment policy, held a public meeting, and established oversight committees for its police department following inquiries from CalMatters. Other institutions, including Chaffey College, MiraCosta College, and Southwestern College, also updated policies or indicated plans to improve compliance.
The presence of military-style equipment on campuses has raised concerns among students, particularly following large pro-Palestinian demonstrations in 2024. Students expressed frustration and a feeling of betrayal over proposals for campuses to acquire AR-15 rifles, such as at Mt. San Antonio College, which ultimately had not purchased the weapons as of June 2026. Several colleges have since committed to fully complying with the transparency law and, in some cases, reducing their inventory of military-style equipment.
Reported inventories from various University of California and California State University campuses include significant numbers of semi-automatic rifles, less-lethal launchers, and substantial quantities of rifle rounds. For example, UC San Francisco reported 68 semi-automatic rifles and one LRAD, while UC San Diego reported 61 semi-automatic rifles and one LRAD. San Jose State University listed 28 semi-automatic rifles, seven less-lethal launchers, and 30,150 rifle rounds. Many other campuses also reported owning less-lethal launchers without publicly listed semi-automatic rifles.