UC Berkeley Police Union Defends 'Occupy' Handling
BERKELEY (CBS/AP) -- The union representing University of California, Berkeley police said a video showing baton-wielding officers jabbing demonstrators earlier this month is misleading and doesn't show officers being hit, pushed and threatened.
The UC Berkeley Police Officers' Association on Monday released a letter to the community, saying it supports a full investigation of the Nov. 9 incident.
Police clashed with campus protesters, who were defending the tents they had pitched as part of an Occupy-related demonstration against university budget cuts.
The letter noted that police tried asking them to leave multiple times before moving in. It also says some demonstrators attacked officers with backpacks and skateboards.
The letter also criticized UC officials, saying they asked police to enforce their policies then refused to stand by officers when they did.
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