California Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Students Claims Psychiatric Damage

[Red James Cash]

California Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Students Claims Psychiatric Damage

Reuters
July 28, 2013

A former University of California policeman who drew widespread scorn for pepper-spraying peaceful student protesters is seeking worker’s compensation for psychiatric damage he said he suffered in the 2011 incident.

Video footage of then-campus police Lieutenant John Pike casually dousing student demonstrators in the face with a can of pepper spray as they sat on the ground at UC Davis came to symbolize law enforcement aggression against anti-Wall Street protests at the time.

Pike was suspended and ultimately left the force in July 2012, but UC officials did not disclose the circumstances of his departure.

A scathing 190-page report on the incident found that university officials and UC Davis campus police showed poor judgment and used excessive force in the confrontation, which was widely replayed on television and the Internet.




Law & Order More: Reuters California
California Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Students Claims Psychiatric Damage
Laila Kearney, Reuters Jul. 27, 2013, 9:06 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A former University of California policeman who drew widespread scorn for pepper-spraying peaceful student protesters is seeking worker's compensation for psychiatric damage he said he suffered in the 2011 incident.

Video footage of then-campus police Lieutenant John Pike casually dousing student demonstrators in the face with a can of pepper spray as they sat on the ground at UC Davis came to symbolize law enforcement aggression against anti-Wall Street protests at the time.

Pike was suspended and ultimately left the force in July 2012, but UC officials did not disclose the circumstances of his departure.

A scathing 190-page report on the incident found that university officials and UC Davis campus police showed poor judgment and used excessive force in the confrontation, which was widely replayed on television and the Internet.

The university last fall agreed to pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit brought on behalf of the 21 students who got sprayed and later reported suffering panic attacks, trauma and falling grades as a result.

Last month, Pike himself filed a worker's compensation claim with UC Davis over the incident, saying he suffered unspecified psychiatric and nervous system damage, though the document did not explain how he claimed to have been harmed, records show.

A judge is scheduled to hear Pike's claim at a worker's compensation conference in Sacramento on August 13. The case would likely go to trial if Pike and the police department fail to reach an agreement, California Department of Industrial Relations spokesman Peter Melton said on Friday.

UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi had asked local prosecutors to look into possible criminal charges against the police officers involved in the pepper-spraying. But the Yolo County District Attorney's office determined there was no grounds on which to bring a case.

Earlier this week, a state appellate court ruled that newspapers have a right to publish the names of all the UC Davis police officers involved in the pepper-spraying incident.

(Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Steve Gorman and Mohammad Zargham)

 

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[worldtalker]

Are you serious This Country has no hope left if that judge sides with him. GodBless Chris

 

[packerbacker]

Is it really a peaceful protest when they are blocking a public walkway? Let them pull all that silly crap on the grass but, if you are blocking my way on the sidewalk, you're just being some spoiled-a$$ college puke blocking my legal pathway. Get your a$$es inside and learn something. Of course, depending on which college we are talking about, the last thing you'll get is an education, especially in California. I hope the cop gets a million himself.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Is it really a peaceful protest when they are blocking a public walkway? Let them pull all that silly crap on the grass but, if you are blocking my way on the sidewalk, you're just being some spoiled-a$$ college puke blocking my legal pathway. Get your a$$es inside and learn something. Of course, depending on which college we are talking about, the last thing you'll get is an education, especially in California. I hope the cop gets a million himself.

I agree about blocking access. I disagree about the cop getting disability. Why would he be damaged because of a little negative publicity? Maybe he ought to man-up a little. Or maybe the cops should have just started cuffing the knuckleheads blocking the walk.
Jim

 

[davest]

with attitudes like that, you should be glad the founding fathers didn't block any sidewalks while you had to go to work for the East India company.

Yep, I can see how far the resistance from you guys would go when the government comes to take your guns. You'll probably give your neighbors guns up too.

goodness me, blocking the sidewalk, just where do those protestors think they are? In the United States of America or sumpin? Good thing the 2nd trumps the 1st, right guys?


Sheesh, RJC and Chad, did you guys read those responses?

I can picture them now speaking to each other the day before Lexington/Concord. "Hey, I hear we're going to war with the Brits tomorrow. Be sure you don't block the sidewalks, we wouldn't want to interfere in their day".

 

[Edward1976]

I've never understood the attitude a lot of Americans have toward the OWS movement: they hate Wall Street for the crimes they commit and get away with, and yet they also hate the people who protest it. How does that work out? I've also noticed a general movement from the right to demonize and belittle university educated people, especially in California. Cal Tech, Stanford, UCLA, Berkeley, Salk Institute, some of the best in the country in fields of science, arts, literature, defense, engineering, music, the list goes on. I'm glad somebody had the nerve to call out crime and injustice, they deserve medals for bravery.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

I've never understood the attitude a lot of Americans have toward the OWS movement: they hate Wall Street for the crimes they commit and get away with, and yet they also hate the people who protest it. How does that work out? I've also noticed a general movement from the right to demonize and belittle university educated people, especially in California. Cal Tech, Stanford, UCLA, Berkeley, Salk Institute, some of the best in the country in fields of science, arts, literature, defense, engineering, music, the list goes on. I'm glad somebody had the nerve to call out crime and injustice, they deserve medals for bravery.

Yeah...I remember those "best and brightest" from my youth. You know, the ones protesting the VietNam war, and everything else. They are the people now running the country, and a fine job they're doing of it. Back then they burned bldgs on campus,. and some not on campus. They've given us the gift of socialism, and massive debt...simply so they could maintain their lifestyle, earned or not. I also remember, for the most part they were the recipients of most of the benefits of the society that raised them, and had the least to ***** about, but that didn't stop them. Most of my friends, and I couldn't join them...we were too busy trying to earn a living, so we could keep eating, or serving in the military to fight the war their type got us involved in. Talk to college students today, and what they complain about is the country (us) isn't / or aren't, providing cheap enough student loans...that they feel entitled to. So sorry, I don't feel too sorry for them.
One caveat...I have nothing against someone earning their way through college...have you met one lately? Darned few.
Jim

 

[DeepseekerADS]

with attitudes like that, you should be glad the founding fathers didn't block any sidewalks while you had to go to work for the East India company.

Yep, I can see how far the resistance from you guys would go when the government comes to take your guns. You'll probably give your neighbors guns up too.

goodness me, blocking the sidewalk, just where do those protestors think they are? In the United States of America or sumpin? Good thing the 2nd trumps the 1st, right guys? [QUOTE}

Now Davest, I have no guns, but certainly should have. Probably need to for what is coming, but don't see it coming yet. I see hope in the future in a world where the Left disappears for a while as they whimper over their wounds and boohoos. They will need a kiss on the booboos, and a bandage or two.

Does a REAL man give his neighbors up?

Nope, only LIBERALS do that, you know the ones, the chicken ones. Limp wristed ones. Those who cry for Mama

 

[davest]

gotta give ya credit Deep, you knocked that one out of the ballpark.

Have you ever read the 1st Amendment? What a bunch of shlock, heh?

 

[Jim in Idaho]

with attitudes like that, you should be glad the founding fathers didn't block any sidewalks while you had to go to work for the East India company.

Yep, I can see how far the resistance from you guys would go when the government comes to take your guns. You'll probably give your neighbors guns up too.

goodness me, blocking the sidewalk, just where do those protestors think they are? In the United States of America or sumpin? Good thing the 2nd trumps the 1st, right guys? [QUOTE}

Now Davest, I have no guns, but certainly should have. Probably need to for what is coming, but don't see it coming yet. I see hope in the future in a world where the Left disappears for a while as they whimper over their wounds and boohoos. They will need a kiss on the booboos, and a bandage or two.

Does a REAL man give his neighbors up?

Nope, only LIBERALS do that, you know the ones, the chicken ones. Limp wristed ones. Those who cry for Mama

Give me a break!....just exactly what are these "patriots" protesting?....that the interest on their loans went up? Or maybe their choice of major has no demand so they can't find a cushy job paying $100,000/year? Comparing them to the founders of this country is quite a stretch, I'd say. That's a typical debate tactic when your argument has no merit.
Jim

 

[Nickleanddime]

The college has a right to protect its students. A protest can turn very ugly very quickly. The security guard was working under direct orders from his employer on their private property. They were resisting numerous peaceful attempts to move along and refused. In law enforcement even security, a swear word and finger pointing is a action of violence! Try swearing at a officers few times see if you don't end up on the ground. Protection personnel are getting serious about things anymore, and have ever right to. Look at all the shootings over the last few years. All started peacefully until someone interjected. But all ended in bloodshed. Well with the exception of the walk in and shoot, I'm talking about workplace/campus shootings. And him losing his job, heck he received a huge settlement for being let go. He had standing signed rule book that he could have used in court to win that fight. But some are quick to judge, if one of them guy would have been armed it would have been ok. You want an example of something like this going to he'll quick? The Louisiana funeral parade that got shot up. All it took is one person and a gun, that's it. All this would have taken was some one to run their mouth to the wrong perso.n on either side of the debate and violence would have happen. So there it is, the truth.

 

[davest]

Thanks Jim. I'm glad to see you have no problem with the income disparity in this country, or the fact that the banks were the ones that caused the 2008 meltdown(yep, after all this time, they really did)

Did you know the founding fathers didn't like corporations? That they demanded they have to renew their licenses every year? And banks were to only gamble with their investment money, not their customers deposits as they have been doing, that would include pensions and retirement income. Have you ever read about the Teapot Dome scandal? How about the 1929 depression? Do you think everyone should just roll over and let the screwin continue?

Please do answer, I enjoy your input. Thanks.

 

[onfire]

I like the part about lower grades because of this incident what a bunch of crapola. I'm sure this excuse came from a professor " Don't have to attend class because of the trauma you encountered I'll pass you the liberal way" The world needs ditch diggers too.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Thanks Jim. I'm glad to see you have no problem with the income disparity in this country, or the fact that the banks were the ones that caused the 2008 meltdown(yep, after all this time, they really did)

Did you know the founding fathers didn't like corporations? That they demanded they have to renew their licenses every year? And banks were to only gamble with their investment money, not their customers deposits as they have been doing, that would include pensions and retirement income. Have you ever read about the Teapot Dome scandal? How about the 1929 depression? Do you think everyone should just roll over and let the screwin continue?

Please do answer, I enjoy your input. Thanks.

I have big problem with the income disparity, but we're getting WAY off the original subject. I also don't think the OWS bunch had much of a message, and they were so poorly organized they couldn't even pick up their own litter. I also don't like people complaining who have made no contribution to the country...especially when their education is being subsidized by us taxpayers.
One of the posters even suggested that these protestors are, or will be protecting our 2nd amendment rights, which is laughable considering, according to the polls, most of them voted for Obama, or would, if they could vote. As for the disparity of incomes...BOTH political parties share blame for that. I've been in construction my entire life...going on 47 working years now, and I saw firsthand how the lack of border control caused a complete stagnation of the wages in our industry. Neither party wanted to stop the influx. Makes me laugh at the Republicans, who now are paying the price for that lack. Wages, when adjusted for inflation, are about 1/2, in my area, of what they were in the mid-60's. I started at a non-union job at $2.50/hour in 1966. That's the equivalent of about $17.00 today. Starting wage here is about $9.00, sometimes less.
I also think the rules are WAY out of whack, as is the tax code. Just as an example: since I'm self-employed I pay both sides of the SS-Medicare taxes...14.65%. I pay that on everything up to the max, which is around $100,000. (I've never earned that). Mitt Romney made 20 Million, and paid about 13% in taxes. He paid a lower percentage, on his Fed income tax, than I pay just to cover SS and Medicare....then, I have to add my Fed tax on top of that. Obviously the rules are screwed up, and the little people are screwed. I'm doing OK...mainly because I've been very conservative my whole life, and have sacrificed lots to be secure in my old age. Of course, now that I have a few bucks, the government, through the Federal Reserve, is devaluing what I've managed to save. So, screwed again. Makes me wonder why I served in the military.
I enjoy your posts, too...sometimes we just don't see everything eye-to-eye, which is OK.
Jim

 

[Jim in Idaho]

The world needs ditch diggers too.

LOL...Yup...and I've been one.
Jim

 

[onfire]

LOL...Yup...and I've been one.
Jim

A shovel is a handy tool, being used in Washington every day but they're not shoveling Dirt

 

[Red James Cash]

Quote Originally Posted by onfire View Post
The world needs ditch diggers too.
LOL...Yup...and I've been one.
Jim

I think a good 90% of us has.Ditch digging or cleaning horse stables lol.

 

[austin]

Uh, do the words "Kent State" ring a bell? Looks like it's still hard to have a peaceful, legal demonstration in the U.S. when so many people think their attitudes are the law. They are a tad quick on the trigger and then scream, "Who me"? And I've been a ditch digger too, but I don't know how to grade the liberal way. Since my college classes start soon, I need to figure out how to do this. Sounds cool. I never learned that in hippy university....