In response to intense criticism over the handling of a violent melee on campus earlier this month, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has temporarily removed its chief of police, John Thomas. The decision was prompted by the delayed and limited intervention by campus police during the incident.

The campus police came under scrutiny after waiting for more than two hours before breaking up the fight, which erupted when masked counter-protesters attacked a pro-Palestinian student encampment. The delayed response drew condemnation from various quarters, including the California governor's office, which labeled it as "unacceptable."

UCLA Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, Mary Osako, announced the reassignment of Chief Thomas, stating that his removal was pending an examination of the university's security processes. The decision to replace him with UCLA Capt Gawin Gibson was made by Rick Braziel, the vice chancellor leading the newly established Office of Campus Safety.

The creation of this new office aims to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of security processes at UCLA, ensuring the well-being and safety of the campus community. However, university administrators have not provided clarity on where Chief Thomas will be reassigned.

Confirmation of Thomas's removal was reported by the student newspaper, the Daily Bruin, and in an interview with the paper, Thomas himself acknowledged that he had been "temporarily reassigned from my duties as chief."

The violent incident at UCLA resulted in over 200 arrests and forced the closure of the campus, with the university transitioning to remote learning. This upheaval followed a similar occurrence at Columbia University in New York City, where a building occupied by students was raided and cleared by the police.

Protests against the war in Gaza at Columbia University have sparked similar actions at other universities, both public and private. Activists are advocating for institutions to sever financial ties with Israel and companies profiting from the conflict.

The newly appointed interim chief, Capt Gawin Gibson, has been serving in UCLA's police force for 28 years, according to the Daily Bruin. Meanwhile, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block is scheduled to testify before the Republican-led House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce in Washington DC on Thursday. He will be joined by administrators from Rutgers University and Northwestern University.

The recent clearance of the Gaza protesters from the California university comes as colleges across the country prepare for possible disruptions during graduation ceremonies. Students are reflecting on their college experience, which has been marked by the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the current campus protests.