John Pike, the UC Davis cop who became infamous for pepper-spraying seated protestors last year is no longer employed by the university.
The San Francisco Chronicle explains:
“I can confirm that John Pike’s employment with the university ended on July 31, 2012,” UC Davis spokesman Barry Shiller said Tuesday. He declined to comment further.
Pike could not be reached for comment. He was involved in a Nov. 18 campus demonstration during which students were protesting rising tuition. On the widely circulated video, Pike is seen dousing protesters for about 15 seconds with orange pepper spray.
Pike was suspended with pay after the incident. According to a database of state worker salaries, he earned $110,243 in 2010, the last year figures were available.
California Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso led the 12-member task force that reviewed the episode. It found that it “should and could have been prevented,” and recommended police reforms at UC Davis.
What do you think of incidents like this involving protestors?
If Pike was terminated, did he deserve to lose his job?
AP Photo/The Enterprise/Wayne Tilcock