LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – The campus police chief at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been reassigned amid scrutiny over his handling of pro-Palestinian student protests that escalated into violence late last month. John Thomas’ removal from his post follows criticism of the slow response to the chaos that unfolded at UCLA on April 30, where a mob attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment.
Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications, announced Thomas’ temporary reassignment pending a review of security procedures. The violent clashes at UCLA saw counter-protesters assaulting individuals, using poles, chemical irritants, and fireworks before law enforcement officers eventually intervened after hours of unrest.
The decision to remove Thomas was reported by the school’s student-run newspaper, the Daily Bruin. In a text message to the Daily Bruin, Thomas acknowledged being temporarily reassigned from his duties. In an earlier interview with the Los Angeles Times, Thomas defended his actions, stating that he did everything in his power to ensure student safety during the period of unrest on campus amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza sparked divisions across U.S. college campuses, leading to widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations met with law enforcement crackdowns in some instances. In response to Thomas’ reassignment, Gawin Gibson has been appointed as the acting chief of police at UCLA as of Tuesday. The university is launching a comprehensive review of security processes through the newly created Office of Campus Safety, aimed at bolstering community well-being and safety.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Bock is set to testify before a House committee regarding the UCLA protests, alongside the presidents of Northwestern University and Rutgers University. The incident at UCLA underscores the complex challenges faced by universities in managing protests and ensuring the safety of students and staff during times of heightened tensions and conflicts. As the investigation progresses, the university aims to address any shortcomings in its security protocols and strengthen measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.