Parents, Police Union Demand Return of Officers to LAUSD Campuses Amid Rising Bullying

Parents and the union representing Los Angeles School Police officers are advocating for the reinstatement of full-time police staffing on all campuses, citing an increase in bullying incidents and a recent student death. This push comes five years after the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) significantly reduced its school police budget, reallocating funds to hire "climate coaches" to manage student behavior.

The Los Angeles School Police Management Association has joined parents in demanding more on-campus police presence, particularly following the death of 17-year-old Xavier Nungaray-Martinez. He died on September 30 after jumping from a fourth-floor balcony at Franklin High School in Highland Park. His family believes bullying played a role in his death, though police have not established a direct link, and the medical examiner ruled it a suicide.

"Recent tragedies involving violence, self-harm and weapons on and around school campuses underscore the urgent need to strengthen — not diminish — our school safety resources," said Anthony Stafford, president of the Los Angeles School Police Management Association. "We understand why parents are calling for greater police presence. Every family deserves the peace of mind that their child will return home safely at the end of each school day."

Data from LAUSD's most recent student survey indicates that 17% of students reported being bullied, the highest rate since the 2021-22 school year. Reports of physical bullying, such as shoving, hitting, or kicking, rose from 6% in the 2024-25 school year to 15% in 2025-26. The district also recorded 5,636 fights and other aggressive incidents during the 2024-25 school year.

The LAUSD slashed $25 million from its school police budget in February 2021, cutting 133 positions. This decision was influenced by activist groups advocating to end what they termed the "criminalization and over-policing" of Black students. Currently, the district employs 262 sworn school officers, but they are assigned to patrol groups of schools rather than being stationed at individual campuses.

Xavier's father, William Amaya, expressed his belief that his son's death could have been prevented with a police presence on campus. "I don’t think no one in their right mind would jump off the fourth floor," Amaya stated. "This would have been prevented if enforcement was on campus."

The district is currently considering further budget reductions for the school police department. As part of a Fiscal Stabilization Plan, the LAUSD board is scheduled to vote on a proposed $3.5 million cut for the 2027-28 fiscal year, with a potential $7 million reduction the following year. Stafford voiced strong opposition to these proposed cuts, emphasizing that the department has not recovered from previous reductions and faces increased demand for services with decreased resources.

Some parent organizations, like the Parent Organization Network, support enhancing school safety but argue that increased police presence alone is not the solution. They advocate for greater investment in mental health services, conflict resolution, and parental involvement, alongside security measures.

Despite these differing views, the union and many parents maintain that a visible police presence is crucial for maintaining order and preventing violence. The debate continues as the district grapples with budget challenges and evolving approaches to student safety.