UC Santa Cruz Police Department

Graduate students launched a wildcat strike (not union-sanctioned) demanding a $1,412/month cost-of-living adjustment. Strikers spent 50–80% of income on rent. A grading strike had begun December 2019, with 12,000+ fall-quarter grades withheld. The full strike began February 10 with demonstrations blocking campus entrances.

February 12, 2020 (Day 3): Hundreds of demonstrators and dozens of police engaged in a tense standoff for hours at the main campus entrance. At least 17 protesters were arrested for unlawful assembly, obstructing a public roadway, and disobeying a lawful order. Police included UCSC PD plus officers bussed in from other campuses and counties, including CHP. Pain compliance techniques were reported: officers pushed on pressure points on protesters' necks and ears. PhD candidate James Sirigotis stated: "At one point an officer grabbed me by the back of the head, grabbed me by my hair and threw me face first onto the street... basically rubbing my face into the street." A two-square-inch patch of hair was missing afterward. At least two students sustained injuries they attributed to excessive force.

All 17 arrested received 14-day campus bans. Students living on campus were allowed access to residence and dining only. International Student Services warned international students that participation "may have immigration consequences." UC President Napolitano threatened termination. February 28: 82+ graduate students were terminated, losing health insurance during the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. UC Academic Council called on Napolitano not to retaliate and to lessen police presence. 300+ UCSC faculty signed a letter promising not to retaliate. Bernie Sanders publicly supported strikers. AAUP condemned use of riot police and termination threats. August 7, 2020: 41 of fired graduate students reinstated after UAW 2865 dropped unfair labor practice charges. Students did not receive the demanded pay increase.

Chief Nader Oweis announced retirement effective December 4, 2020, departing for Sonoma State University after 9 years as UCSC chief. Departure occurred during national reckoning over policing following George Floyd's murder (May 2020) and an active campus defund-the-police movement. UC President Napolitano stated UC would not defund police departments.

Vice Chancellor Sarah Latham framed the departure as "an opportunity for review and new perspectives on how we approach our work." Lt. Mary Garcia was named interim chief December 5, 2020. The position remained vacant for over 2 years until Domby's appointment in May 2023 — the longest chief vacancy documented in the UC system in this report series. AB 48, SB 2, and RIPA requirements for UC PDs all took effect during this vacancy period without permanent leadership in place.

On May 20, 2024, UC Santa Cruz was the first UC campus to "stand up" in UAW 4811's systemwide ULP strike. Workers struck in defense of the right to protest in support of Gaza/Palestine, after police cleared pro-Palestinian encampments at UCLA, UCSD, and UCI. The strike eventually involved approximately 31,500 workers across UCLA, UC Davis, UCSB, UCSD, and UCI. PERB denied UC's injunction on May 23, declaring the strike was not unlawful. UC subsequently attempted retaliation — notices of intent to dismiss workers; PERB found the strike was lawful protected activity.

An encampment was established at Quarry Plaza, later moved to the base of campus near the Barn Theater. Protesters demanded UC divestment from weapons manufacturers and Israeli companies, cuts to ties with Israeli universities, condemnation of Israel's actions, and amnesty for protesters. Protesters blockaded both campus entrances for days. Chancellor Cynthia Larive cited blocked emergency vehicle access — specifically an ambulance prevented from reaching a facility where a toddler was in distress (May 28).

May 30, 11:52 PM: Over 300 officers in riot gear from multiple agencies marched into the encampment. Agencies included: UCSC PD, CHP, San Francisco PD, Santa Clara County Sheriff, Santa Cruz PD, and others. A 16-hour confrontation ensued. Total detained: 122 people — students, faculty, and community members. All 122 charged with failure to disperse; several additionally charged with resisting arrest and battery of an officer.

Allegations of police misconduct during arrests include: officers breaking fingers, choking, shoving, striking with batons, and threatening to shoot if protesters did not disperse. Officers allegedly singled out "smaller, female-presenting people." Protesters shouted "They are hurting us!" and "We can't breathe!" One protester reported suffocating after a bag was placed over their head, vomiting as a result. A news photographer was reportedly body-slammed, suffering a serious concussion. Reporters from City on a Hill Press were nearly arrested. Legal observers were denied access. Community members reported police used service/signal jammers. Bulldozers razed tents, a medical station, a kitchen, and an art space.

Students received 7–14 day campus bans, including those living on campus (forced to find alternative lodging), relying on meal plans, or using Student Health Center as their sole healthcare. Of 122 arrested: UCSC PD forwarded ONLY ONE case to the Santa Cruz County DA. Esmeralda Hurtado, 20, was charged March 7, 2025, for both the May 31 encampment arrest and an October 7, 2024 rally arrest. December 2025: Judge Mandy Tovar, visibly emotional, granted diversion — Hurtado avoids trial if she completes community service through 2026. All other 121 arrestees: no formal charges filed; statute of limitations expired May 31, 2025.

California State Auditor Report 2024-032 (published July 2024): UCSC was among six institutions audited. Findings for UCSC include the following: UCSC underreported 33 crimes in 2022 Clery statistics not submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, including dating violence, domestic battery, and rape. The Auditor stated: "By not including these serious crimes in its Clery statistics as required, Santa Cruz presented its campus as safer than it was."

Of 60 crimes reviewed, 7 were not included in Clery statistics — a 15% error rate. Additionally, 22 of 60 crimes were missing from daily crime logs. The department failed to disclose all required campus safety policies, procedures, and programs; did not track Clery-reportable incidents in a central location; lacked written procedures for staff compiling Clery statistics; the Clery coordinator position experienced turnover with the interim coordinator lacking written guidance; and the university did not renew its agreement with the campus police department for Clery reporting.

UCSC agreed to implement all recommendations by January 2025. The 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (published October 1) contained corrections for 2022 statistics, but City on a Hill Press subsequently found 2023 statistics also contained errors in rape and stalking categories. Clery compliance was transferred from UCSC PD to the Office of Campus Safety Compliance within Risk and Safety Services.

On the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack, approximately 150 students and supporters protested on the UCSC campus. After the event ended, bystanders reported UCSC officers approached Hurtado as the crowd was cleaning up. Officers told her she could not wear a mask and use a bullhorn simultaneously. When asked to identify herself, police state she physically resisted arrest. She was charged formally on March 7, 2025 — along with charges from the May 31 encampment arrest — making her the only one of 122 encampment arrestees to face formal charges. In December 2025, Judge Tovar granted diversion.