In the aftermath of violence that erupted when counter-protesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, UCLA Police Chief John Thomas has been removed from his position and reassigned. This action follows criticism of the police and administrative response to the incident, which occurred on the night of April 30 and continued into the early hours of May 1. The reassignment is temporary, pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation by the new Office of Campus Safety into the university’s security processes.
Incident and Response
The attack on the encampment began around 11 p.m. on April 30. LAPD officers did not arrive until 1 a.m. and took until 3 a.m. to disperse the confrontation, during which several people were injured. The following day, hundreds of California Highway Patrol officers dismantled the encampment, resulting in the arrest of over 200 protesters and supporters. Classes were temporarily shifted to remote learning as a result.
In the days following the encampment’s clearing, 44 individuals were arrested in a campus parking garage, allegedly carrying materials indicating plans to break into a building. Among those arrested, 35 were UCLA students.
Administrative Actions
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, facing criticism for the handling of security, announced the formation of the Office of Campus Safety. This new office, led by Associate Vice Chancellor Rick Braziel, aims to thoroughly investigate the university’s security procedures, including the slow response that left students vulnerable.
“The well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is paramount,” Block stated. “These actions are essential for creating a secure environment where everyone at UCLA can confidently pursue their studies and careers.”
Faculty Reactions
Dr. Matt Barreto, a professor of political science and Chicano studies at UCLA, indicated that the reassignment of Chief Thomas suggests broader accountability within the university’s administration, including Chancellor Block. Barreto emphasized the need for a full investigation into why UCPD did not intervene sooner.
“It suggests to me that [Chancellor] Gene Block is also involved in that poor judgment,” Barreto said. “We want to know exactly why the UCPD could not step in at the first moment and protect the students.”
Bharat Venkat, a professor in the life sciences department, criticized the lack of transparency regarding Thomas’s reassignment, calling it a “convenient way of putting someone else in the firing line.” Venkat also described a heightened security presence on campus following the incident, with UCLA police officers closely monitoring faculty and students.
Interim Leadership and Future Steps
UCLA police Capt. Gawin Gibson has been named interim police chief. Faculty hope that this change in leadership will foster better relations between the police and the student body.
Chief Thomas had served as the department’s chief since January, following more than a year as interim chief. His new assignment has not been disclosed.
Chancellor Block is scheduled to testify before the House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee on May 23. This follows a request from the committee’s chairwoman, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., for documents, communications, and security videos related to alleged antisemitic incidents on campus.
The ongoing investigation and administrative changes aim to address and rectify the security lapses that led to the delayed response during the counter-protest violence, ensuring a safer environment for the UCLA community moving forward.