December 13, 2024 Your Source for Brentwood News

UCLA Police Chief John Thomas Departs Amid Fallout From Campus Protest Response

Departure Follows Criticism of UCLA’s Handling of Violent Attack on Students

UCLA Police Chief John Thomas has officially left his position, according to a brief social media statement from the UCLA Police Department. His last day was December 10, 2024. Captain Scott Scheffler has been appointed interim police chief while the university searches for a permanent replacement.

Chief Thomas’ departure comes seven months after a night of vigilante violence on April 30, when a mob of approximately 100 people attacked the Palestine Solidarity Encampment on campus. The incident, which stretched into the early hours of May 1, left students, faculty, and journalists on their own and without any protection during an attack where pepper spray, fireworks, and blunt instruments were used to attempt to break into the encampment. 

During the four-hour assault, neither the UCLA administrators, the UCLA Police Department, private security, nor the Los Angeles Police Department intervened until Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered LAPD to respond at 1:47 a.m. 

The night’s events seem out of the ordinary because nearly any time a group of protesters gathered since 2020 in Los Angeles, police are immediately dispatched with riot gear, “less lethal” weapons, and shields in short order, usually in under an hour. 

Thomas was also criticized for the LAPD and CHP raid on the encampment on the night of May 1 during which 200 students and others were arrested. Students were shot with rubber bullets from “less lethal” weapons, tear gas, batons, and flash bangs after enduring the previous night’s attack. During a CAIR question and answer session, Interim Chancellor Darnell Hunt, a Vice-Chancellor at the time, refused to answer student questions about who made the decision, implying that the decision was out of his hands.

Thomas was “temporarily reassigned” after the attack but up until this week, no other information had been released by UCPD regarding Thomas’ employment. 

In the wake of Chief Thomas’ departure, Wade Stern, president of the Federated University Peace Officers Association (FUPOA), issued a statement criticizing UCLA leadership and defending Thomas’ record. Stern argued that UCLA administrators failed to provide clear directives or involve the police department in planning for campus protests, resulting in disorganized and ineffective responses.

“The departure of former UCLA Police Chief John Thomas underscores the glaring lack of accountability among UCLA administrators for the disorganized and ineffective response to last spring’s campus protests,” Stern said.

Stern added, “As we have said since May, the UCLA administration owns the failure of any protest response, and the public should reject their attempts to shift blame to law enforcement. The recently released “Independent Investigation & After-Action Review” on the UCLA response to the protests in April-May is a damming indictment of the UCLA campus leadership. Issuing reports and making empty promises of corrective action without holding any administrators accountable is both unacceptable and emblematic of systemic negligence. Chief Thomas, a dedicated leader, deserves far better than to be scapegoated for the administration’s repeated failures and poor decision-making. This situation demands accountability and meaningful reform, not deflection.”

Rick Braziel and UCLA have not released any statements or a response to the FUPOA statement.

in News
Related Posts

Home Safety Assessments Prevent Your Loved Ones from Falling

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

Steer Clear of Accidents with Safely Home Again’s Fall Assessments A call at 3:40 a.m. jolts you from a deep...

Brentwood Weekly Crime Report: November 17 through November 26, 2024

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

By Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk  Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk has written a report of crimes committed in the...

Celebrate the Holidays at the 2nd Annual Better 11 Holiday Celebration

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

Join the Festivities With Live Music, Food, and Community Connection The 2nd Annual Better 11 Holiday Celebration is set to...

Bar Nine to Close Culver City Flagship After 11 Years of Excellent Espresso and Connection

December 12, 2024

December 12, 2024

Espresso Bar Bids Farewell to Culver City, Plans Bright Future with Pure Espresso After 11 years of serving the community, Bar...

Exclusive Offers from Tensley Tasting Room and Brentwood Fine Wines This Holiday Season

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Enjoy 20% off Estate Wines and Indulge in a Champagne and Caviar Tasting Tensley Tasting Room in Brentwood is offering...

Court Rulings Spell the End of Proposed Merger Between Albertson’s and Kroger

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Grocery Chain Announces Kroger Lawsuit in Separate Press Release Albertsons Companies, Inc. has announced the termination of its proposed merger...

Bacari Debuts in Beverly Hills: Mediterranean Dining in the Iconic Villa Blanca Space

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Seventh Los Angeles Location Beloved Small Plates, Craft Cocktails, and Rustic Charm Bacari, the acclaimed Mediterranean-inspired, family-owned restaurant group, has...

(Video) The Watermark at Beverly Hills Offers Boutique-Style Living for Seniors

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

For More Info, Go To Watermarkcommunities.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/Dg9P3qb7Wl pic.twitter.com/KSmdWgPpHc — BrentwoodNewsLA (@BrentwoodNewsLA) December 11, 2024

Celebrate the Festival of Lights at Skirball’s Annual Hanukkah Festival – Dec. 15

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Experience Music, Storytelling, Crafts, and Community, Create Lasting Memories The Skirball Cultural Center is inviting families to create lasting Hanukkah...

Brentwood Man Arrested for Allegedly Flying Drone Over Vandenberg Space Force Base

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Suspect Faces Charges After Being Caught With Aerial Photos of the Military Installation A Brentwood man was arrested Monday on...

Franklin Fire Update: Over 3,000 Acres Burned, New Shelter Opened, City Government Relocated

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Homes and Structures Impacted; PCH and Major Roads Closed as Firefighters Battle Blaze The update from the city government of...

Golden Globes Announce 2025 Nominees: See the Full List

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Hollywood’s Biggest Night Returns, Top Contenders Revealed The nominees for the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards® were announced Monday, December 9...

(Video) School of Rock Offers the Most Revolutionary Music Education

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Sign Up Now at WestLA.SchoolofRock.com

“A Safer 11 for a Better 11” Initiative Targets Crime Reduction, Infrastructure Upgrades

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Councilmember Traci Park Launches New Public Safety Plan for District 11 Councilmember Traci Park, alongside LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Los...

Red Flag Warning Issued for Los Angeles Amid High Winds and Fire Danger

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Residents in High-Risk Areas Urged to Prepare for Potential Evacuations A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Los Angeles,...