Just launched initiative to address policing & protests. Right to peaceful protest must be protected at UC
Mark G. Yudof
President Yudof launches initiatives to address policing and protests
University of California President Mark G. Yudof moved on two fronts today (Tuesday, Nov. 22) to address policing issues in the wake of the pepper spraying of UC Davis students and other incidents involving law enforcement officers and protesters.
Acting in response to a written request from UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi, Yudof agreed to conduct a thorough review of the events of Nov. 18 on the Davis campus.
As a first step, Yudof reached out to former Los Angeles police chief William J. Bratton to undertake an independent fact-finding of the pepper spray incident and report back the results to him within 30 days.
Bratton, who also led the New York City police department, now heads the New York-based Kroll consulting company as chairman. He also is a renowned expert in progressive community policing.
"My intent," Yudof said, "is to provide the Chancellor and the entire University of California community with an independent, unvarnished report about what happened at Davis."
Assembly Speaker John A. Perez also had made a request to President Yudof and UC Regents Chair Sherry Lansing for an independent investigation.
Under the plan, Bratton's report also will be presented to an advisory panel that Yudof is forming, again at Katehi's request. The panel will consist of a cross-section of students, faculty, staff and other UC community members.
The advisory panel, whose members will be announced at a later date, will review the report and make recommendations to Chancellor Katehi on steps that should be taken to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters on campus. She will present her implementation plan to President Yudof.
On a second track, Yudof appointed UC General Counsel Charles Robinson and UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Christopher Edley Jr. to lead a system-wide examination of police protocols and policies as they apply to protests at all 10 UC campuses.
This effort will include visits to campuses for discussions with students, faculty and staff, and consultation with an array of experts.
The review is expected to result in recommended best practices for policing protests across the 10 UC campuses.
"With these actions," Yudof said, "we are moving forward to identify what needs to be done to ensure the safety of students and others who engage in non-violent protests on UC campuses. The right to peaceful protest on all of our campuses must be protected."
Francis Jervis
Expect a whitewash.
Douglas D. Durward
How about following the law? The 9th Circuit held that the use of pepper spray on non-violent protestors constitutes excessive force and violates the 4th Amendment (HEADWATERS FOREST DEFENSE v. COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT). In February of 2011, the 9th Circuit affirmed that holding in another pepper spray case (YOUNG v. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES). How about teaching the students that you will respect thelaw of this Country?
Dennis Cabral
President Yudof...I am encouraged by your words to protect the students of UC Davis. As an alumni parent I would ask that you start by terminating Chancellor Linda Katehi. That would be a strong message that this foolishness will not be tolerated. We send our children to be educated not pepper sprayed and tortured!!!
Ann Kelly
You don't need to be a law school dean to know the pepper-spraying was illegal and immoral. FIRE SOMEONE NOW, or just admit you don't care.
R.a. Massey
And with the history Pike has displayed, he should be terminated without benefits.
Marie Fair
William Bratton seems like a wildly inappropriate choice. Is he offering services pro bono, or will UC be writing a hefty check to Kroll?
Alyx Poska
Why when we have the most qualified and educated peoples in the world at our university system are we having to hire outside law enforcement officers and former govt position holders who are themselves not allowed to freely speak and dont have to follow the law/get extra protection from the law? Why are you choosing who reviews you? Doesnt that seem like a conflict of interest? Let me guess, you guys determine conflicts of interesting making contracts and business deals...
Michael C. Tracey
When will Lt. Pike be held to account for his criminal actions?
Jon Unruh
Unless the cops who did this heinous, illegal act wind up in handcuffs this investigation is a fraud. Either way Yudof and Katehi need to go.
Ken Eklund
President Yudof, William Bratton is an inappropriate choice. The only question he will weigh is how far under the bus to throw the line officers in order to protect the greater system of disproportionate police response.
