Annette Spicuzza, UC Davis Police Chief, Under Fire for Pepper Spray Attack
LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Annette Spicuzza, the UC Davis Police Chief in charge of Lt John Pike, has been urged to resign from her post by members of the UC community. Annette Spicuzza, following the pepper spray attack, was neither fired nor accepted a resignation. Rather University officials simply put her on (paid) administrative leave.
The president of the University of California system tells news that he was furious by the pepper spray attack. President Mark G. Yudof in a news statement Sunday said the UC system never should condone the use of violence against its own student body. Yudof, moreover, said that freedom of speech is paramount to the educational system. “Free speech is part of the DNA of this university, and non-violent protest has long been central to our history”. He added “It is a value we must protect with vigilance.”
John Pike Pictures Set 2
John Pike Photo 5
John Pike Photo 6
John Pike Photo 7
John Pike Photo 8
But critics noted that Yudof did not call for the firing nor resignation of the officers involved with the attack. Rather, he called only for a discussion by the ten chancellors “how to ensure proportional law enforcement response to non-violent protest.”
Yet, Spicuzza still has her job currently. In a news statement Monday, UC Davis confirmed to news that Chief Annette Spicuzza would be put on paid administrative leave along with two officers during the pepper spray attack.
John Pike Pictures Set 3
John Pike Photo 9
John Pike Photo 10
John Pike Photo 11
John Pike Photo 12
Critics believe that the UC Davis administration has not swiftly responded to the matter. Among the critics are Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento. In a statement Sunday, Steinberg said “On its face, this is an outrageous action for police to methodically pepper spray passive demonstrators who were exercising their right to peacefully protest at UC Davis”.
John Pike Pictures Set 4
John Pike Photo 13
John Pike Photo 14
John Pike Photo 15
John Pike Photo 16
He added “Chancellor Katehi needs to immediately investigate, publically explain how this could happen and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”