John Thomas, the former police chief of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has left the UCLA Police Department following criticism over his handling of a violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian activists in May. The UCLA Police Department confirmed that Thomas’ last day was December 10, 2024, and that Captain Scott Scheffler will serve as interim chief until a permanent replacement is appointed.
The department did not provide details on the reason for Thomas’ departure. Thomas had defended his actions in May, telling the Los Angeles Times that he did “everything I could” to ensure campus security and protect students. However, after the attack, in which masked assailants stormed a pro-Palestinian encampment with clubs and fireworks, Thomas was reassigned temporarily as the university reviewed security protocols.
The May 1st incident, one of the most violent related to U.S. protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict, lasted for hours before the police intervened. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the delayed law enforcement response, calling it “unacceptable.” The following night, a large police force raided the encampment, arresting over 200 individuals. These disturbances were part of a larger wave of protests across U.S. college campuses, fueled by opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there. The protests have drawn attention to the ongoing violence in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed, and accusations of war crimes.
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