Students beaten by Police at UC

Monday, Nov. 21, 2011
University of California Office of the President
(copied from newsletter online):

In meeting with chancellors, President Yudof outlines actions on several fronts

University of California President Mark G. Yudof convened the chancellors of all 10 campuses today (Monday, Nov. 21) and asserted that they must do everything possible to protect the rights of students, faculty and staff to peaceful protest.

He reiterated that he was appalled by the images of students being doused with pepper spray at UC Davis and jabbed with batons at UC Berkeley. “We cannot let this happen again,” he said.

During a teleconference, Yudof told the chancellors he had directed senior UCOP staff to move immediately on several fronts to:
Examine recent incidents involving use of force on UC campuses.
Organize a thorough examination of police procedures, protocols and training.
Put in place a structure to assemble recommendations for longer-term practices to ensure the safety of members of the UC community engaged in peaceful protest.
While expressing his confidence in the leadership of UC chancellors, he said he was directing senior staff to work with all of the campus police chiefs to bring together policies governing use of force at each of the locations, as well as requirements for the presence of senior administrators and observers in certain situations.

Further details about plans for the systemwide reviews of specific incidents of use of force and current protocols are expected to be shared with the public this week.