Police Officer At Center Of UC Davis Pepper Spraying Scandal No Longer On Force
DAVIS (CBS13) - UC Davis confirmed Tuesday night that the police officer at the center of its pepper spraying scandal last fall is no longer with the department.
As of Tuesday, Lt. John Pike no longer works for the university's police force, a school official said. The university declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns.
Pike, 39, was the officer a CBS13 camera captured spraying down students with pepper spray during an Occupy UC Davis rally Nov. 18 at the quad. Students were seated arm and arm and refused to follow police commands to move.
That's when Pike and another officer doused them with pepper spray.
Pike was immediately put on paid administrative leave following the incident, which drew criticism from all over the country and had many calling for Chancellor Linda Katehi to be fired.
Pike had been collecting a six-figure salary until his separation from the department Tuesday.
"I think he did need to walk away," one student said Tuesday night.
"He should have been gone a long time ago," another said.
The police chief, Annette M. Spicuzza, was also put on leave and eventually resigned in April.
The Sacramento Bee first reported Tuesday that Pike was no longer employed with the school.
