The UCLA Police Department spent more than $220,000 on drones and less-lethal ammunition in 2025—and is now seeking authorization to expand its arsenal.
UCPD purchased three Skydio X10 drones under a 10-year agreement that costs $21,654 per year for the aircraft and docking stations, according to the department’s Oct. 19 military equipment report, as reported by the Daily Bruin.
Richard Mejia, director of emergency communications and information for the Office of Campus and Community Safety, said the drones are part of UCPD’s new “Drone as First Responder” initiative.
“[This program aims to] improve situational awareness, reduce response times and provide valuable video evidence during emergency incidents,” Mejia said in an emailed statement to the Daily Bruin.
Introduced in September 2023, the Skydio X10 is a foldable quadcopter that the manufacturer says can be removed from a backpack and prepared for flight in about 40 seconds.
UCPD also bought 120 40mm munitions for $3,477 in 2025. The department now has 3,117 less-lethal munitions overall, according to the 2026 report, and is requesting 1,950 additional PepperBall rounds along with 50 more 40mm projectiles.
The report says the additional equipment is needed as UCLA expands its university-owned housing, medical and administrative facilities, while also preparing for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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UCLA police have asked to increase the operational drone fleet from three aircraft to five and add as many as four lower-cost drones for pilot training.
In its latest annual report, the department said five operational drones would allow it to reach more than 95% of priority police, fire and EMS calls. The expanded fleet would also support continuous aerial observation during prolonged emergencies.
“In addition, the five UAS will be used in direct support of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to assist with protection of the Athletes Village while maintaining the ability to utilize UAS for non-LA28 public safety needs,” the report stated.
The department is seeking additional projectiles as well. The proposal calls for 50 more 40mm sponge rounds, bringing the total to 350, plus 1,000 pepper-spray balls for launchers it has already been approved to purchase.
UCPD is also requesting 950 inert, non-chemical rounds for use in locations where pepper spray could pose a risk, including indoor or otherwise sensitive settings.
Critics say less-lethal weapons have caused serious injuries during previous campus demonstrations. UCLA professor Michael Chwe organized a petition that has collected hundreds of signatures from members of the campus community calling on police to stop using 40mm launchers.
Chwe is scheduled to present the petition to UCPD at the department’s annual public meeting on its Military Equipment Use Policy Wednesday.
