The campus police chief at UCLA, John Thomas, was removed from his post after facing intense criticism for his response to pro-Palestinian student protests that turned violent. Videos captured the chaos that erupted at UCLA on April 30, showing counter-protesters beating people, hitting them with poles, spraying chemical irritants, and setting off fireworks. Law enforcement officers arrived hours later to intervene and take down the pro-Palestinian encampment. Thomas was reassigned temporarily pending an examination of security processes.
The news of Thomas’ reassignment was first reported by the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student-run newspaper. Thomas stated in a text message to the newspaper that he had been temporarily reassigned from his duties as chief. In an earlier interview with the Los Angeles Times, Thomas stated that he did everything he could to provide security and keep students safe during the weeks of unrest on campus over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The war and ensuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza led to large pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the U.S.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza sparked intense divides on college campuses, leading to protests that were met with law enforcement crackdowns in some cases. Thomas faced criticism for what appeared to be a slow response to the violent protest on campus. Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications, announced Thomas’ reassignment and stated that Gawin Gibson had been named acting chief of police effective immediately. Gibson, who was previously the captain of the university’s operations bureau, is now leading the campus police department.
Osako did not specify Thomas’ new role, but emphasized that UCLA has created a new Office of Campus Safety to conduct a thorough examination of security processes aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of the university community. UCLA Chancellor Gene Bock released a statement on May 5 echoing this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of enhancing campus safety. The reassignment of Thomas reflects the university’s commitment to addressing security concerns and improving the safety of its students and staff in light of recent events on campus.
