UCLA Campus Police Chief Reassigned After His Handling of Pro-Palestinian Protests

In response to criticism, the university has created a position of chief safety officer to oversee campus security.

Pro-Palestinian protesters link arms as they face law enforcement in an encampment at UCLA in Los Angeles on May 2, 2024. Eric Thayer/Getty Images

After widespread criticism over his handling of recent pro-Palestinian protests and counter-protests at UCLA, campus Police Chief John Thomas was temporarily reassigned pending an examination of security processes.

The reassignment was announced in a statement on May 21 by Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for communications.