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2013/10/24 04:14:57
Subject: UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
The UC Davis Pepper-Spraying Cop Gets a $38,000 Settlement
ABBY OHLHEISER
Former UC Davis officer John Pike, famous for casually pepper spraying a group of students in the face during a 2011 protest, was awarded a $38,000 settlement for psychiatric injuries for the way he was treated afterwards. Pike, who was eventually fired, filed a workers compensation claim this summer.
That means that Pike, who walked up to a group of sitting, passive students and pepper sprayed their faces, will get a comparable compensation from the university to that awarded to the students he targeted. UC Davis has also settled with the students actually targeted by Pike's pepper spray, agreeing to pay out $1 million total to 21 plaintiffs. That breaks down to a bit less per student than Pike himself will get: $30,000 per plaintiff, plus a $250,000 sum for their lawyers to split and a handful of other delegated portions of the award. The university also formally apologized as part of the settlement. Pike's settlement includes $5,700 in legal fees for his lawyer in the case.
Pike was eligible for worker's comp from the incident after a psychiatrist found that the former officer has a "moderate" disability, ABC affiliate KXTV explains. He claimed to have "suffered depression and anxiety over the way he was treated in the wake of the incident," they note. The Davis Enterprise has more from that evaluation, via a public records request:
Pike faced “continuing and significant internal and external stress with respect to resolving and solving the significant emotional upheavals that have occurred” in his life and had not shown evidence of substantial improvement, concluded Lieberman, who spoke with Pike twice in 2012.
Pike became one of the villains for the Occupy movement in November of 2011 thanks to a widely-circulated video showing the incident at the college. That video, among other things, prompted Anonymous to target Pike for online harassment, which included the publication of his contact information and home address.
The incident prompted an internal affairs investigation into the conduct of Pike and a handful of other officers that day. He, another officer, and UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza were suspended with pay coinciding with that investigation. Spicuzza retired in April of 2012.
Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at aohlheiser@theatlantic.com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
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Flinty wrote: The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock
2013/10/24 04:16:11
Subject: UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
Pretty sure Tear Gas is worse.
I don't think you can legally walk around with a spray can of it, although I'm sure it would be super effective at fending off muggers and any stray bears you may happen to encounter.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Well I've already been tear gassed, and if I get into the police force (fingers crossed) they let you volunteer to get pepper sprayed, so I'll be able to compare them by the end of next year all things going according to plan. I just really want to know.
Hmm good point Grey, but couldn't it also be because its harder to accidentally let pepper spray off and have it force everyone to leave a theatre/building/whatever than a gas canister?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/24 04:23:59
I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own...
2013/10/24 04:24:34
Subject: UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
motyak wrote: I've always wondered which is worse, tear gas or pepper spray.
The problem with that question is that both come in wildly different concentrations. I was in the army, which means I have been hotboxed with CS, but I've never been pepper sprayed.
2013/10/24 04:24:40
Subject: Re:UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
I thought you had to get pepper sprayed if you were going to carry it while on duty. At least that is what I remember my dad's friend who is a former police chief said.
Well I've already been tear gassed, and if I get into the police force (fingers crossed) they let you volunteer to get pepper sprayed, so I'll be able to compare them by the end of next year all things going according to plan. I just really want to know.
Hmm good point Grey, but couldn't it also be because its harder to accidentally let pepper spray off and have it force everyone to leave a theatre/building/whatever than a gas canister?
Possibly, Pepper Spray isn't a gas its just an aerosol suspension of liquid IIRC. Its not going to fill a room in the way an actual gas will.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/24 04:26:23
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Grey Templar wrote: I thought you had to get pepper sprayed if you were going to carry it while on duty. At least that is what I remember my dad's friend who is a former police chief said.
I know it's a standard policy for a lot of Use Of Force options, but that'll depend on country, state, county, force, individual trainer, etc, etc.
When I had asp and self defense training, our instructor made sure we were all on the receiving end (both by himself and by our fellow students). It was enlightening.
Especially seeing who flinched back, even knowing we were all getting it.
Point being, I think that's how it should be, and a lot of people and forces seem to agree, but I have doubts it's applied 100%. That's just life.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/24 04:30:09
2013/10/24 04:31:47
Subject: Re:UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
Grey Templar wrote: I thought you had to get pepper sprayed if you were going to carry it while on duty. At least that is what I remember my dad's friend who is a former police chief said.
I know it's a standard policy for a lot of Use Of Force options, but that'll depend on country, state, county, force, individual trainer, etc, etc.
When I had asp and self defense training, our instructor made sure we were all on the receiving end (both by himself and by our fellow students). It was enlightening.
Especially seeing who flinched back, even knowing we were all getting it.
Point being, I think that's how it should be, and a lot of people and forces seem to agree, but I have doubts it's applied 100%. That's just life.
It seems to be optional to be a copper in Queensland, but I'm going to do it, because why not.
Now I never paid much attention to the whole OWS thing, but
Bromsy wrote: I suppose by casually they mean with great deliberation and forewarning. God that story irks me.
What does this mean? Did he warn them and ask them to stop, stop, stop, then finally sprayed them?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/24 04:33:09
I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own...
2013/10/24 04:33:02
Subject: Re:UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
Don't let anyone kiss you for at least a day. I've heard it sticks around
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
motyak wrote: It seems to be optional to be a copper in Queensland, but I'm going to do it, because why not.
I'm feeling a career path that's more likely to end up in IT in the private sector than on a force, but there was a period where I was considering trying for the local department, and would absolutely have volunteered.
Point of pride, as opposed to the ones who shirked away, I volunteered to go first.
If there was a chance I'd have to do it to someone eventually, I might as well learn from the best.
... still hurt like hell.
2013/10/24 04:35:29
Subject: UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
hotsauceman1 wrote: Meh, He was following orders, What ws he supposed to do? Nothing? Disobey his superiors?
Are you serious? Since when did we start using robots in the police force? I'm pretty sure the guy could have thought, at one point, "Gee, maybe I shouldn't pepper spray these peacefully protesting students sitting here on the ground."
The guy deserved to be called a villain. Boo-fething-hoo if Mr. Macho Cop couldn't handle the pressure of being a symbol of whats wrong with America's police force.
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2013/10/24 04:40:49
Subject: Re:UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
hotsauceman1 wrote: Meh, He was following orders, What ws he supposed to do? Nothing? Disobey his superiors?
Are you serious? Since when did we start using robots in the police force? I'm pretty sure the guy could have thought, at one point, "Gee, maybe I shouldn't pepper spray these peacefully protesting students sitting here on the ground."
The guy deserved to be called a villain. Boo-fething-hoo if Mr. Macho Cop couldn't handle the pressure of being a symbol of whats wrong with America's police force.
Man, so close to Godwinning this thread.
You obviously haven't seen the full video. That was far from a peaceful protest. It was sooo fething close to a riot, not to mention those students were blocking the police officers from leaving, which they were attempting to do. The fact the officers were so calm is a credit to them.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
hotsauceman1 wrote: Meh, He was following orders, What ws he supposed to do? Nothing? Disobey his superiors?
Are you serious? Since when did we start using robots in the police force? I'm pretty sure the guy could have thought, at one point, "Gee, maybe I shouldn't pepper spray these peacefully protesting students sitting here on the ground."
100% What was this cop supposed to do? The order came in to remove the protesters. Was he supposed to risk his job for a bunch of entitled kids? Risk his pension and possibly his nice retirement?
5000pts 6000pts 3000pts
2013/10/24 04:44:52
Subject: Re:UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
What does this mean? Did he warn them and ask them to stop, stop, stop, then finally sprayed them?
Yes, the protestors were asked to move, many times. When they refused to move, they were warned many times that they would be pepper sprayed if they refused to move. Then they were pepper sprayed. Look up unedited videos of the incident as basically every video that actually got air time was edited to make the protestors look like they were pepper sprayed out of no where - also the angle this piece is taking - as if Pike just sauntered up and started pepper spraying poor students sitting on the grass calmly.
Because chanting "We won't let you leave." while surrounding Law Enforcement Officers discharging their duty isn't forcing confrontation.
And once again, these weren't the students peacefully protesting on the grass on the side of the walkways that got pepper sprayed, these were the students linking arms and refusing to allow Law Enforcement Officers to pass by.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/24 04:47:21
2013/10/24 04:47:49
Subject: UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
What does this mean? Did he warn them and ask them to stop, stop, stop, then finally sprayed them?
Yes, the protestors were asked to move, many times. When they refused to move, they were warned many times that they would be pepper sprayed if they refused to move. Then they were pepper sprayed. Look up unedited videos of the incident as basically every video that actually got air time was edited to make the protestors look like they were pepper sprayed out of no where - also the angle this piece is taking - as if Pike just sauntered up and started pepper spraying poor students sitting on the grass calmly.
Because chanting "We won't let you leave." while surrounding Law Enforcement Officers discharging their duty isn't forcing confrontation.
And once again, these weren't the students peacefully protesting on the grass on the side of the walkways that got pepper sprayed, these were the students linking arms and refusing to allow Law Enforcement Officers to pass by.
Careful. Posting this will make you a "government abuse apologist".
Shotgun wrote: I don't think I will ever understand the mentality of people that feel the need to record and post their butthurt on the interwebs.
2013/10/24 04:51:58
Subject: UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
And what exactly is the relevant part of that 190 page report? I'm not about to dig through it looking for what I don't know.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
hotsauceman1 wrote: 100% What was this cop supposed to do? The order came in to remove the protesters. Was he supposed to risk his job for a bunch of entitled kids? Risk his pension and possibly his nice retirement?
Yes! That's the exact mindset that turns a cop into a crooked cop. Any police officer who is willing to do the wrong thing because it is in his best financial interests cannot be trusted.
"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
-C.S. Lewis
2013/10/24 04:56:34
Subject: Re:UC Davis pepper-spraying cop gets settlement larger than the students he sprayed
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
It doesn't take an expert to determine there was a clear and immediate risk of physical harm to the officers during the incident.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
5000pts 
6000pts 
3000pts
