Posted on July 2, 2020

Los Angeles School Police Chief Releases Powerful Resignation Statement After Board Slashes Funding

Frieda Powers, Biz Pac Review, July 2, 2020

Los Angeles School Police Chief Todd Chamberlain resigned following a decision by the school board to cut millions in funding and remove officers from campuses.

Chamberlain, who stepped into the job just last year, turned in his resignation on Wednesday, according to district spokeswoman Shannon Haber, the Los Angeles Times reported. With over 35 years in law enforcement, Chamberlain made the decision one day after the school board gave in to what he called a “potentially life-threatening” choice to cut the school police budget by $25 million.

“After humbly serving my communities, department and personnel over 35 years in Law-Enforcement, I have been placed in a position that makes my ability to effectively, professionally and safely impact those groups unachievable,” the former police chief said in a statement.

Following weeks of protests by student activists and community groups demanding the department be eliminated, the Los Angeles Board of Education decided in a 4-3 vote on Tuesday to make a 35% cut to its school police force, amounting to the layoffs of 65 officers.  In addition, L.A. School Police Department officers have to give up their uniforms and patrol off-campus, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“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 said in his statement.

The board action affecting the more than 470-employee LASPD department came after another outrageous proposal to cut the budget by 90 percent failed to pass last week. Retired longtime school administrators who are part of the board,  President Richard Vladovic, George McKenna and Scott Schmerelson, opposed Tuesday’s vote because of the obvious safety implications.

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The resolution did reportedly state that the funds saved by the cuts would go to “support African American student achievement to the extent of the law,” according to The Times. {snip}

Apparently the move is being seen as just a first step toward a goal of complete elimination.

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Original Article