Katehi and Spicuzza Must Resign

As a UC Davis alumnus and lifetime Alumni Association member, I’m outraged at the actions of the campus police (UCDPD) on Friday.

I’m ashamed that the police force at my alma matter used pepper spray on its own students, yet proud of the students’ mature and principled adherence to peaceful civil disobedience during and after this brutal assault.

While Chancellor Katehi and UCDPD Chief Spicuzza did not explicitly order the use of pepper spray, it’s their responsibility UCDPD officers are properly trained and educated in the use of force. In a similar incident using pepper spray against protesters, Headwaters Forest Defence v. County of Humboldt, (9th Cir. 2002) 276 F.3rd 1125, the 9th Circuit Court ruled that “it was excessive to use pepper spray against (the) nonviolent protesters” and thus, constituted an unreasonable seizure. Friday’s incident possibly violated students’ First Amendment rights as well, per Tinker v. Des Moines, 393 U.S. 503 (1969).

Because of Chancellor Katehi and Chief Spicuzza’s failure to swiftly condemn the use of excessive force against the very students they are charged to protect, they have lost all legitimacy in the eyes of the student body, faculty and alumni, and therefore, must resign. Let their successors implement the changes necessary to protect the safety and civil rights of UCD students moving forward.

We cannot complete the process of healing until everyone responsible, from the very top to the very bottom, are held accountable.

Kevin Koda

Culver City

Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=107263

Posted by Letters to the Editor on Nov 21 2011.
Last Login:
Filed under Letters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry