Attorney general declines lead role in pepper-spraying probe

The state Attorney General’s Office has declined to take charge of Yolo County’s investigation of the Nov. 18 pepper-spraying incident at UC Davis.

District Attorney Jeff Reisig and Sheriff Ed Prieto made the joint request on Nov. 29, explaining that the probe could have statewide ramifications for the 10-campus UC system. A state-led investigation also would enhance public confidence in the outcome, they said.

After spending two weeks reviewing the request, the AG’s Office responded with a letter of denial.

“As you have mentioned, none of the traditional criteria warranting this office’s assumption of the primary law-enforcement role in this matter — including a conflict of interest or inadequate resources — are present,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael P. Farrell wrote in the letter, dated Dec. 9.

“This office justifiably maintains great confidence in the commitment of your office, and that of local law-enforcement generally, to discharge its duties, and we therefore decline your request,” Farrell wrote.

He did, however, offer “supplemental or specialized assistance to local law enforcement” during the investigation, as well as a review of its conclusions.

The letter also noted that the AG’s Office is “closely monitoring” the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training’s review of law-enforcement guidelines on the proper use of nonlethal force, as directed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

“We appreciate the attorney general’s vote of confidence in our ability to competently handle this job, but the fact remains that this issue has far-reaching ramifications and that there are limited resources in Yolo County,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven said in an email to The Enterprise.

“Despite this, the sheriff and district attorney will do our very best to conduct the investigation and review that the people of California, and beyond, expect and deserve,” Raven added.

Prieto, meanwhile, called the decision “unfortunate.”

“I think it would give clear, concise information regarding the chain of events that took place,” Prieto said of the AG’s involvement. He also questioned whether the Sheriff’s Department should conduct a probe of the incident, given the multiple other investigations already under way — including one by former Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton.

“I don’t think it’s imperative that we conduct an independent investigation,” Prieto said. “But we’ll do whatever we can to be helpful, if requested. I’ll wait for that to happen.”

Raven said this week that his office is awaiting reports from the UCD Police Department before deciding whether to pursue charges against the 10 protesters — nine current students and one alumnus — who were arrested on Nov. 18.

— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise.net or (530) 747-8048. Follow her on Twitter @laurenkeene

Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=116706

Posted by Lauren Keene on Dec 14 2011.
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