Former Los Angeles Police Department chief Bill Bratton has been tapped by the University of California to lead an official inquiry into the use of pepper spray by UC Davis police on passive student protesters.
UC Davis chancellor Linda Katehi and Assembly Speaker John Perez reportedly urged the creation of an outside panel; speaker Perez has also scheduled a Dec. 14 hearing to look into UC police handling of student protests.
Bratton said he was pleased to be nominated to lead the investigation. "I have a great pride and respect for [policing]. Anything that works against that profession's image – I'd like to be part of understanding what happened and trying to explain it," he said Monday.
Bratton comes to the case with a wealth of experience to draw on, and has already drawn parallels between this investigation and the report into the LAPD's 2007 May Day melee at MacArthur Park, saying "I am looking for a similar report that will give a truthful and objective, candid account of the events" at Davis.
"What we've been asked to do is to look at the totality of the event. Not just the snippet that we're all now very, very familiar with," Bratton said. "After 40 years in the business, I've learned not to make judgments before I get all of the facts."
Bratton said he will be conducting an administrative review. Rather than an investigation of internal affairs or crime, Bratton and his team will compile a detailed report of what happened, as well as outline recommendations for improving training and actions of the department going forward. He went on to say that they would look for "mistakes made in existing policies and procedures that could be changed so they don’t happen again."
According to Bratton, the University of California was clear about the investigation protocol. Along with urging transparency, UC administration has urged Bratton to finish the review within 30 days.
"I think the school is making a very forthright effort to have a very comprehensive, transparent investigation, so I think the leadership of the school should be applauded for that," he said.
Bratton said he will join investigators tomorrow as they pursue details of the incident.
