Former UCLA Police Chief John Thomas' tenure came to an end on December 10, as announced by the university's police department on social media. His departure follows a reassignment earlier this year after critiques of the department’s response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus, as stated in a CBS News report. Details on whether Thomas resigned or was dismissed have not been disclosed.
The encampments formed in early May were part of broader demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas conflict that swept across campuses nationwide. UCLA's handling of the escalating tension, particularly during a violent outbreak where counter-demonstrators injured at least 15 protesters, came under heavy scrutiny. According to NBC Los Angeles, an independent review criticized the university for what was characterized as a chaotic response and a paucity of coordination among campus leaders and police.
With Thomas gone, UCLA Police Captain Scott Scheffler has been appointed as the interim chief. Scheffler, hopeful for the future, has expressed his commitment towards exceptional customer service by the department. "It is my hope that the officers you see on campus and the surrounding community, along with our support staff behind the scenes, will provide outstanding customer service," Scheffler said in a statement.
Questions remain around the administration's responsibility in the protest's mishandling. Although Thomas purportedly did everything within his power, including alerting the Los Angeles Police Department for backup, there seems to be a disconnect in dealing with the protests effectively. "Despite a detailed investigation revealing that UCLA PD was deliberately excluded from critical meetings and 'almost entirely uninvolved in decision-making,'" according to a statement by Wade Stern, president of the Federated University Peace Officers Association, as obtained by NBC Los Angeles, no repercussions for university administrators have surfaced.
Looking back, Thomas, who served as the university’s police chief since January 2023, had a long history of law enforcement experience, including 21 years with the LAPD and a stint as the executive director of the Department of Public Safety at USC, which was highlighted in a report by ABC7. Under Thomas, the police department faced significant challenges during the protests, and now, with his exit, the search for a new permanent UCLA police chief is underway.
