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Former UCLA Police Chief John Thomas, who was criticized for security lapses that led to violent protests on campus last spring, is now away from the university, it was announced Wednesday.
Thomas’ last day at UCLA was Tuesday, according to a post by the UCLA Police Department on X.
According to the Daily Bruin, Thomas was previously reappointed from the position of police chief, where Gawyn Gibson served as chief on an interim basis from May to September.
Barricades surround an encampment of a pro-Palestinian group as a member (right) is beaten by a member (left) of a pro-Israel group at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Counter-protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt in Los Angeles in May. shouts at pro-Palestinian demonstrators. On May 1, 2024, clashes broke out around a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of California, Los Angeles. The United States is struggling to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 2: Police officers arrest pro-Palestinian protesters after a dispersal order was issued at UCLA early Thursday morning. Protesters arrested. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Pro-Palestinian protesters protect themselves from pro-Israel supporters at the UCLA encampment on May 1, 2024. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Los Angeles, California – May 2: US police arrest pro-Palestinian demonstrators as people protest May 2, 2024, California, US UCLA in Los Angeles. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images) Los Angeles, California – May 2: US police arrested a pro-Palestinian demonstrator as people protested at UCLA. May 2, 2024, Los Angeles, California, USA. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 2, 2024 — Pro-Palestinian demonstrators line up on the UCLA campus on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Jason Almond/ (Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images) Los Angeles, California – May 1: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israel supporters clash at a UCLA encampment early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Workers clean the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evict pro-Palestinian students in the early morning hours of May 2, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. . Hundreds of police officers destroyed it. Protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles, tore down barricades and began arresting students early Thursday – the latest flashpoint in protests on US campuses over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students in Los Angeles. Police patrolling cleaning workers. Early morning on May 2, 2024, Angeles, California. Hundreds of police began tearing down protest barricades and arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles, the latest flashpoint. Protests erupt on US campuses over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) after police evict pro-Palestinian students in Los Angeles, California Workers clean the campus of , early in the morning on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police broke down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles. Protests erupt on US campuses over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Frederick J. Brown/AFP) (Photo by Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Mr. Gibson later succeeded Capt. Scott Scheffler when he was appointed acting police chief.
“UCLA Police Chief Scott Scheffler will serve as interim police chief until a permanent chief is selected,” the UCLA police chief wrote in X.
UC President launches investigation into how UCLA handled violent demonstrations at pro-Palestinian camp
It is unclear whether Thomas resigned or was fired.
A pro-Palestinian encampment was allowed to form in late April, growing so large that students were unable to access parts of the school for several days, and then between Palestinian protesters and non-Palestinian protesters. He was criticized after campus police took several hours to respond when violence finally erupted at the school. Pro-Israel supporter.
UCLA campus ‘trashed’ after police clear encampment
Thomas did not respond to requests for comment from the Los Angeles Times. The Times reported that Thomas said in May that he “did everything in his power” to provide security and keep students safe during the multi-day incident.
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