The UCLA Police Department bought vast amounts of rubber bullets and three flying drones, according to the UCLA PD Annual Military Equipment report that was released last month.
The purchases totaled more than $200,000. The sources of funding were listed on the report simply as 'general (department) funds.'
UCLA's student population is no stranger to protests. Police are often called to keep the peace, especially in the wake of October 7 after pro-Palestine encampments were set up and clashing groups sparred on campus.
The college's police deparment requested even more equipment in the report, such as a 1,000 unit increase to their authorized amount of pepper powder projectiles, and up to six more drones to use for training and field purposes.
It listed three SkydioX10 drones which cost the department $216,543. In the report, the department requested two more for use, and up to four more for 'training purposes only,' the report stated.
The department also requested to authorize some new equipment, such as an increase in pepper powder projectiles to be used with a launcher.
UCLA PD is currently in possession of two different kinds of pepper ball projectiles: 1875 PepperBall Live-X PAVA round ball projectiles, and 1,000 PepperBall Live-X PAVA VXR projectiles.
The first type is a round ball which contains 5 percent PAVA powder, a powder that mimics the stinging, burning and irritation effect brought on by chili peppers. Its direct impact is listed as being 60 feet.
UCLA PD released their annual military equipment report last month which revealed more than $200,000 was spent on rubber bullets and drones
'All additional equipment is necessary to support the department's growth and expansion,' UCLA PD concluded in their report
Law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator, as they clear out the protest encampment in support of Palestinians at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in May 2024
The projectiles combine kinetic force and the release of the irritant powder to incapacitate subjects, according to the PepperBall website.
The irritant powder also creates an airborne cloud which can affect bystanders.
People with respiratory conditions such as emphysema, asthma, or bronchitis are especially vulnerable to the effects of the powder.
The second type, the VXR, differs only in that it offers a larger area of impact, 'greater accuracy,' and speed compared to the first type, according to the PepperBall website.
The direct impact for the VXR is listed as 150 feet, more than double than its counterpart.
UCLA PD put in a request for 1,000 additional units of the more powerful option, according to the report.
A separate request included a type of projectile which the UCLA PD does not already have: two practice versions of each pepper bullet, without the active ingredient.
These types of projectiles, labeled 'Inert' and 'VXR Inert,' are filled with a powder which mimics the behavior of the pepper powder but does not cause the same inflammatory effects to the affected person and anyone in their vicinity.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at UCLA as the police attempt to disperse the crowd
UCLA PD released their military equipment report for 2026 last month
UCLA PD acquired 3 Skydio X10 drones which cost the department more than $200,000
This will allow UCLA PD to hurl these projectiles at students in enclosed spaces or 'sensitive locations,' where the outburst of powder from the pepper powder balls is 'not desired,' according to the report.
According to the report, 199 units of ammunition weren't used and are now expired: 141 units of the rubber bullet titled 'Def-Tec 40mm Direct Impact Munition Model #6320' and 58 units of the rubber bullet titled 'Def-Tec 40mm eXact Impact Munition Model #6325.'
Both come with the following warning: 'This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead Salts, Methylene Chloride and Hexavalent Chromium, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Lead Salts, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.'
The expired rubber bullets will be allocated for training purposes, the report mentioned.
Although the items are marketed and used as 'non-lethal' alternatives, the risk of severe harm still exists.
PepperBall's safety manual for the FTC pepper projectile launcher, which UCLA PD possesses four units of, stated: 'Never aim or shoot at the head, face, eyes, ears, throat, groin or spine. Impact in these areas could result in unintended severe or permanent injury or death.'
'All additional equipment is necessary to support the department's growth and expansion due to UCLA's acquisition/construction of additional University-owned housing, medical, and administrative properties, as well as in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,' the department wrote to justify these requests.
The UCLA campus will serve as the Olympic village, which will entail hosting visiting athletes in their residences.
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