UCLA police chief leaves following criticism over protest violence
Former UCLA police chief John Thomas, who was criticized for security lapses that led to the violent protests on campus last spring, is no longer with the University, it was announced Wednesday. Thomas’ last day with UCLA was Tuesday, the UCLA Police Department posted on X. Thomas had previously been reassigned from his role as [...]
Former UCLA police chief John Thomas, who was criticized for security lapses that led to the violent protests on campus last spring, is no longer with the University, it was announced Wednesday.
Thomas’ last day with UCLA was Tuesday, the UCLA Police Department posted on X.
Thomas had previously been reassigned from his role as chief of police, with Gawin Gibson temporarily acting as chief from May to September, the Daily Bruin reported.
Barricades surround the encampment for the Pro-Palestine group as a member, right, is punched by a pro-Israel group member, left, at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
A counter protester shouts at pro-Palestinian protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - May 2: Police officers arrest a pro-Palestinian protester after an oder to disperse was given at UCLA early Thursday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
Pro-Palestinian protestors defend themselves against a pro-Israeli supporter at an encampment at UCLA on May 1, 2024. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 2: US Police arrests a Pro-Palestinian demonstrator as the people protest at UCLA, in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 2, 2024. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 2: US Police arrests a Pro-Palestinian demonstrator as the people protest at UCLA, in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 2, 2024. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES CA MAY 2, 2024 -- Pro-Palestinian demonstrators form a line on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors and pro-Israeli supporters clash at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles - the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) 
Police patrol as workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles - the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) 
Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles - the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Gibson was also later replaced when Capt. Scott Sheffler was appointed as acting chief of police.
”UCLA Police Captain Scott Scheffler will serve as interim police chief until a permanent chief is selected,” UCLA PD’s post read on X.
It was unclear if Thomas had resigned or was fired.
He was criticized after a pro-Palestinian encampment was allowed to form in late April and grew large enough to block students from accessing parts of the school for several days, then it took campus police several hours to respond when violence finally erupted between Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel supporters.
Thomas did not respond to a Los Angeles Times request for comment. The Times reported that Thomas told them in May that he did “everything I could” to provide security and keep students safe during the dayslong incident.
What's Your Reaction?
