Two UC Davis Officers Placed On Leave For Pepper Spraying
DAVIS (CBS13) - Two UC Davis police officers accused of improperly using pepper spray to disperse a group of "Occupy UC Davis" protesters on campus Friday have been placed on leave, according to UC Davis News Service.
Law enforcement officials say they used the spray to dismantle an encampment set up by "Occupy Wall Street" sympathizers on the UC Davis quad, a raid that drew accusations of excessive force from students after sitting protesters were subjected to pepper spray at point-blank range.
Shortly before 4:00 p.m., officers used cans of pepper spray to coat the sitting demonstrators in the chemical dispersant before officers began taking students into custody one by one.
UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza said officers used force out of concern for their own safety after they were surrounded by students.
However, UC Davis Chancellor P.B. Katehi spoke out against the officers' actions: "I spoke with students this weekend, and I feel their outrage...I am deeply saddened that this happened on our campus, and as chancellor, I take full responsibility for the incident. However, I pledge to take the actions needed to ensure that this does not happen again. "
University officials had warned students several times last Thursday that camping would not be allowed on the quad.
The names of the officers have not been released.
>> CBS13 news photographer witnesses pepper spraying
