LAUSD names interim school police chief

Los Angeles School Police Department Deputy Chief Leslie Ramirez has been named interim chief of the department, following Chief Todd Chamberlain’s resignation.

Chamberlain resigned last week after the LAUSD board voted 4-3 to cut $25 million from the school police budget to divert the funds to hire more social workers, counselors and campus safety aids at schools with more Black students.

According to a news article, Chamberlain said that the $25 million reduction means LAUSD will need to lay off 65 officers, close 39 vacant officer positions and eliminate the school police force's entire overtime budget.

"In good conscience, and in fear for safety and well-being of those I serve, I cannot support modifications to my position, the organization and most importantly, the community (students, staff and families) that I believe will be detrimental and potentially life-threatening," Chamberlain wrote in a statement.

According to Ramirez's school police bio, she joined the force in 1991.

"In the weeks ahead, we will begin the process of reviewing and evaluating our operational plan and objectives," Ramirez said in a LAUSD statement. "Our focus will be to maximize our deployment strategy while minimizing the impact to students, staff and our personnel."

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