UC Pepper-spray cop out of a job

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**Ouze**

UC Davis confirms officer at center of pepper spraying controversy no longer on the force
sstanton@sacbee.com
Published Tuesday, Jul. 31, 2012

Lt. John Pike, the UC Davis police officer who became a focal point of last November's pepper spraying incident during a campus protest, is no longer employed by the university, a spokesman confirmed late Tuesday.

UC Davis spokesman Barry Shiller said he could not discuss the details of Pike's departure, but in response to queries from The Bee, he said Pike was no longer employed there as of Tuesday.

"Consistent with privacy guidelines established in state law and university policy, I can confirm that John Pike's employment with the university ended on July 31, 2012," Shiller said. "I'm unable to comment further."

Pike, 39, declined to comment when reached by The Bee, saying he wanted to consult with his attorney first.

Pike's 2010 salary was listed as $110,243.12. He has been on paid leave since the debacle unfolded last year, sparking worldwide outrage, numerous investigations and calls for the resignation of UC Davis leaders.

Pike's leave coincided with an internal affairs investigation into his and other officers' actions on the campus quad Nov. 18, when Pike and at least one other officer used pepper spray on students and protestors who were seated and had locked arms, refusing police orders to disperse.

UC Davis officials have said that because the internal affairs probes are confidential, they cannot not disclose their findings.

As a result of cell phone video showing Pike spraying the students and protesters, he became the primary symbol of the public outrage over the incident as the images spread worldwide on the Internet.

Pike, a former Sacramento police officer, was suspended with pay after the incident along with another officer and then-UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza.

Spicuzza retired in April after an independent panel issued an investigative report that severely criticized her leadership of the police department and found fault with much of the uiversity leadership during the crisis.

Pike's future had remained in limbo until now, and at one point he faced harrassment that included a barrage of 10,000 text messages, 17,000 emails and numerous items being ordered delivered to his home.

That backlash led, in part, to a judge's order that the names of other officers involved in the incident not be revealed, an order that is currently the subject of a legal battle between the Federated University Police Officers Association and lawyers for The Bee and The Los Angeles Times.

The university, Pike and other officers have since been sued by students who say they were victims of the pepper spraying. The Yolo County District Attorney's office is still reviewing the matter to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

Call The Bee's Sam Stanton, (916) 321-1091.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

source story

**Medium of Death**

I wonder if the popularity of the image, more than the act itself, led to his dismissal.

**mattyrm**

110k..

Cops get paid far too much.

**Jihadin**

what about the Dean

**KingCracker**

mattyrm wrote:110k..

Cops get paid far too much.

Ive known a few Police Officers over the years, trust me, they dont normally get anywhere near that

**Jihadin**

lol GS law enfrocement do not go that high for that level

**AduroT**

Medium of Death wrote:I wonder if the popularity of the image, more than the act itself, led to his dismissal.

Well it was a super abuseable picture...

Spoiler:

**Melissia**

Pike's 2010 salary was listed as $110,243.12

Dayamn!

Fort Worth police officers barely make half that (48,828 a year upon graduation, slightly more for those with degrees and/or certifications and the ability to speak multiple languages).

Dallas' highest sallary is only 66k a year....

**Jihadin**

The task force also blamed members of the UC-Davis leadership, citing "systemic and repeated failures" among campus administrators that "put officers in the unfortunate situation in which they found themselves."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/01/us/california-pepper-spray/index.html?hpt=ju_c1

I can see the justification in firing Pike for not being 6 ft away when he used the spray. Waiting on who's next to go

**Frazzled**

No one. The phrase "scape goat" comes to mind here.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

AduroT wrote:...

Sprayers gonna spray

**Jihadin**

Pray and Spray takes on a whole new meaning

**Melissia**

Frazzled wrote:No one. The phrase "scape goat" comes to mind here.

The guy walking casually along a line of protesters spraying them all in the face from well inside the recommended distance is a scapegoat?

**Jihadin**

The guy walking casually along a line of protesters spraying them all in the face from well inside the recommended distance is a scapegoat?

Self Inflected Scapegoat if was/is the only one to "leave"

**Ouze**

The chief has also left, earlier.

It's also noteworthy this guy has been on paid suspension for the last 8 months. Being a cop is awesome, apparently - even if you lose your job for wrongdoing, you get a 8 month paid vacation and then presumably a lifetime pension for a substantial percentage (or all) of it.

**Jihadin**

Wasn't the Dean in a bit of trouble to. If I remember the thread (was a good one) she had a major part in it to. Not on the positive side

**Ouze**

Jihadin wrote:Wasn't the Dean in a bit of trouble to. If I remember the thread (was a good one) she had a major part in it to. Not on the positive side

You're right, but If there were any consequences after that, I do not believe they were made public (yet, anyway). She claimed it was a misunderstanding regarding the use of force, but who knows. It's not really her call anyway in my opinion. Once you call the police, it's their determination to make.

**Jihadin**

Term "Take care of it" comes to mind.

**Frazzled**

Melissia wrote:
Frazzled wrote:No one. The phrase "scape goat" comes to mind here.
The guy walking casually along a line of protesters spraying them all in the face from well inside the recommended distance is a scapegoat?

You bet yer ass.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Ouze wrote:The chief has also left, earlier.

It's also noteworthy this guy has been on paid suspension for the last 8 months. Being a government employee is awesome, apparently - even if you lose your job for wrongdoing, you get a 8 month paid vacation and then presumably a lifetime pension for a substantial percentage (or all) of it.

Corrected your typo

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Ouze wrote:
Jihadin wrote:Wasn't the Dean in a bit of trouble to. If I remember the thread (was a good one) she had a major part in it to. Not on the positive side

You're right, but If there were any consequences after that, I do not believe they were made public (yet, anyway). She claimed it was a misunderstanding regarding the use of force, but who knows. It's not really her call anyway in my opinion. Once you call the police, it's their determination to make.

Not if you are the police's boss it aint.

**Ouze**

From the Dean's wiki page:

Katehi said she took "full responsibility for the incident" and placed two officers and the chief of campus police on administrative leave

Apparently taking "full responsibility" also means no actual consequences for yourself.

**d-usa**

Frazzled wrote:
Melissia wrote:
Frazzled wrote:No one. The phrase "scape goat" comes to mind here.
The guy walking casually along a line of protesters spraying them all in the face from well inside the recommended distance is a scapegoat?

You bet yer ass.

Keep in mind that this if Frazzled.

The only way Pike could have handled the situation better in his eyes would be to invent a gun that shoots pepper-spray covered Wienerdogs at people (the pepper spray makes sure their bites burn more) and then cover the students with that.

**Blacksails**

The man was just watering his hippies.

**Melissia**

See, now THAT is an explanation I can like.

**Frazzled**

Ouze wrote:From the Dean's wiki page:

Katehi said she took "full responsibility for the incident" and placed two officers and the chief of campus police on administrative leave

Apparently taking "full responsibility" also means no actual consequences for yourself.

And thats why its good to be the King...er Queen.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

d-usa wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
Melissia wrote:
Frazzled wrote:No one. The phrase "scape goat" comes to mind here.
The guy walking casually along a line of protesters spraying them all in the face from well inside the recommended distance is a scapegoat?

You bet yer ass.

Keep in mind that this if Frazzled.

The only way Pike could have handled the situation better in his eyes would be to invent a gun that shoots pepper-spray covered Wienerdogs at people (the pepper spray makes sure their bites burn more) and then cover the students with that.

No no. You're missing one of the truly epic qualities of Wiener Dogs. And I quote: "barks so shrill they will stop a riot." This is not a exageration. Rodney's bark is like a stun gun.

**juraigamer**

Become a meme, lost job, he kinda broke even TBH.

**Jihadin**

Good money say in a year he be back in Law Enforcement

**SilverMK2**

Isn't this the kind of oppression you guys claim you need guns to fight against?

**Jihadin**

Isn't this the kind of oppression you guys claim you need guns to fight against?

Law Enforcement vs students (adults)

Government vs population

**Frazzled**

SilverMK2 wrote:Isn't this the kind of oppression you guys claim you need guns to fight against?

You're right. To stop the oppression from radicals attempting to terrorize and disrupt an entire university, the police shouold have at least used shotguns with bean bags.

This sort of terrorism must be stopped and stopped now.

**Jihadin**

This sort of terrorism must be stopped and stopped now.

Quiet Frazz we're moving 3rd Infantry BDE's into positions. Lets not tip our hand shall we

**Frazzled**

Oops sorry. I know, I'll distract the protesting terrorists with this bar of soap.