LOS ANGELES : School District Buying Weapons for Police Force

The Los Angeles Unified School District is spending $110,000 to replace revolvers used by its school police force with 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistols, officials said.

Herb Graham, the district’s director of administrative services, said that although shooting incidents involving school police are rare, the new weapons are necessary in light of the advanced firepower available on the street.

Officials say they will be phasing in the purchase of more than 200 semiautomatic pistols over a 7- to 10-year period. The weapons will replace revolvers that are 17 to 20 years old.

The 300-member school police force protects district property, staff and students. One officer is assigned to every high school and most junior highs in the school system.