UC Davis cop who pepper-sprayed protesters gets $38,000 comp settlement
Posted On: Oct. 24, 2013 12:00 AM CST
The University of California, Davis on Thursday said it will pay a $38,000 workers compensation settlement to a former campus police officer who received national attention for pepper-spraying protesters.
John Pike, who was a UC Davis police lieutenant, sought comp benefits from the university for a nervous system or psychiatric injury that occurred on Nov. 18, 2011, California Department of Industrial Relations records show.
Video and photographs taken that day showed him spraying students who blocked a sidewalk in protest of tuition hikes and other issues. As a result of the video, Mr. Pike received death threats against himself and his family, while he was widely criticized across the Internet.
Mr. Pike's case was closed as of Oct. 16, according to the California Division of Workers' Compensation website. UC Davis confirmed Thursday it had agreed to settle Mr. Pike's workers comp claim in a statement.
“Like any other employer, UC Davis is required to follow the California worker's compensation process,” the statement reads. “Before a case can be closed, a judge must review it to ensure that the terms follow state law on workers compensation. This case has been resolved in accordance with state law and processes on worker's compensation. The final resolution is in line with permanent impairment as calculated by the state's Disability Evaluation Unit.”
UC Davis agreed in September to pay a $1 million settlement after 21 UC Davis students and alumni sued the university over the pepper-spraying incident, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi also issued a formal written apology to the plaintiffs as part of the settlement.