UCLA Police Chief John Thomas Resigns Amid Controversy

UCLA Police Chief John Thomas has officially departed his position following significant criticism regarding his handling of a violent attack on a pro-Palestinian encampment in April 2024. During the incident, which lasted for hours, students were left unprotected while the police and university officials delayed intervention, prompting an independent review to highlight severe communication and planning failures within the UCLA administration. Thomas, who had previously been reassigned after the incident, faced backlash for not implementing effective security measures or coordinating adequately with external law enforcement. His resignation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the university's response to protests, which some reports indicated led to civil rights violations for affected students. Captain Scott Scheffler has been appointed interim police chief as the university searches for a permanent replacement. Thomas's tenure as chief began in January 2023, following his roles in the LAPD and at USC's Department of Public Safety.