On November 18th protestors at UC Davis were pepper sprayed by Campus Police. The protestors were intentionally blocking the Campus Police from exiting the school quad and refused to follow the officer’s orders. Two officers and the Police Chief have been placed on administrative leave. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1121/UC-Davis-police-chief-on-leave-after-pepper-spraying
UC President Mark G. Yudof has stated that he is “appalled” at the spraying. Here is what I think he should have said.
“On November 18th protesters on this campus were pepper sprayed by Campus Police. Member of my administration firmly hold that free speech is part of the DNA of this University and we will make every appropriate effort to ensure that it remains so.
I have ordered a full investigation of the incident to determine whether the Police acted appropriately and determine, in the end, whether they used appropriate force. I have also placed the Officers involved on administrative leave until our investigation has been completed.
Inherent with the privilege of being on this campus is the obligation to follow instructions given by our Campus Police. In the future all student protesters that refuse to follow instructions from our Police will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from this school. All non student protestors on our campus that refuse to follow instructions given by Campus Police will be subject to arrest and prosecution under the appropriate civil law”.
Here is my bottom line. I think the protestors were wrong to intentionally block egress for the Campus Police and to not follow the Officer’s orders. On the other side I think that in the absence of a true emergency or pressing need for the Officers to exit the quad the tactics seem harsh.
Agreed.
ReplyDeleteAccording to this article http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1123/Pepper-spray-explanation-doesn-t-wash-with-UC-Davis-students investigations into the appropriateness of police action in the pepper spraying incident will take place in an expedited time frame. Exactly what should happen.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to remember that the original incident on Nov. 18th occurred when the Campus Police were instructed to remove tents, erected in violation of campus policy, on the quad. On Tuesday Nov. 22nd there were 50 tents on the quad.
The student protestors think Chancellor Katehi should resign. What if they got their wish and her replacement was astute enough to realize that the previous incident (now being investigated) does not obviate enforcing the rules?