Police use of force in a college town
Earlier today, a college student was arrested for disturbing the peace at Sen. John Kerry’s town meeting at the University of Florida. During the arrest event, the University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) officers utilized taser technology to restrain the student.
The fallout seems to be impending as the word spreads across campus and some local media outlets. Decide for yourself: were the police correct to utilize their tasers, or was physical restraint ample for the level of resistance the student was displaying?
http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=157250#videoid=157250
UPDATE: Some students are organizing a protest today (8/18) - will try to take pictures and report back. Also, it was reported this morning that this is the same student that held up a sign that said “HARRY DIES” right after this last Harry Potter book came out. See:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20070722/LOCAL/707220317
In fact, it looks like he’s wearing the same shirt! But I cannot confirm that just yet.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:40 am
its definitely bad form to act like a moron and try to hijack a public event, buts its BRUTE form to taser someone because you can’t use those zip-tie handcuffs to escort them off the property. Completely unacceptable. Behave or you will suffer corporal punishment? Unacceptable!
September 18th, 2007 at 8:03 am
No. I have watched this and find it extremely upsetting. If this is standard procedure the procedure needs to be changed. Now.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Everybody knows if you resist arrest you risk getting tased. I don’t see what the big deal is, besides the fact that John Kerry was present.
If that had happened on University Ave on a Friday night, nobody would think twice.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:51 am
I’m sick about it. The kid was annoying, he asked a question. He got tasered?? The video is so disturbing. Its a bit reminiscent of 1984.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Here is a message from President Machen on this:
To students, faculty, staff:
I have received a great deal of communication and input last night and this morning regarding the incident that occurred Monday at the conclusion of a town hall forum being held by Sen. John Kerry. The incident resulted in a student being tasered.
We are interested in learning what happened and are taking the following immediate steps to ensure the university utilizes best practice protocols:
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University of Florida Police Chief Linda Stump has requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conduct a formal investigation into the arrest of UF student Andrew Meyer. An independent review such as this will make sure the results are objective and impartial. Chief Stump’s priority is to ensure that the public remains confident in the department’s ability to keep the campus safe.
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Two officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
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We plan to assemble a panel of faculty and students to review our police protocols, our management practices and the FDLE report to come up with a series of recommendations for the university.
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Administrators and police officials plan to analyze the incident and conduct an internal review and will consider changing protocols in response to this incident, if necessary.
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Finally, as is standard procedure, the State Attorney’s Office will review the charges brought against Mr. Meyer. We have communicated with the State Attorney and understand he plans to expedite his review.
I will talk about the incident and answer questions at a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. in Emerson Alumni Hall.
Sincerely,
J. Bernard Machen