The Observer, December 1, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 12
Free Speech Zone: Power increase in campus security remains questionable
"Police brutality" is a malicious and unfortunate phrase, especially when the seemingly habitual use of excessive force by police and security forces continues to lend validity to the term. Four incidents in recent weeks have received national attention as clear examples of unwarranted and disproportionate uses of force by law enforcement officers. These cases reflect a wider cultural trend in the United States which is perceivable even on our campus.
The first, on Aug. 11 of this year, involved the LAPD (already notorious on this matter). A bystander taped a police officer repeatedly punching an already subdued suspect in the face for no apparent reason. The footage was posted on YouTube, prompting outrage and an investigation from the LAPD.
In the past week alone, there have been two incidents where the level of force employed by police has come into question. In Atlanta, an 88-year old woman was shot to death for pulling a gun on police as they burst down her door. The police department claims that the house was under surveillance for drug trafficking, but the evidence for this accusation is questionable at best.
Just days ago, the NYPD shot and killed a 23-year-old unarmed man on the day of his wedding for allegedly ramming a police car, a so-far unsubstantiated claim. All three of these incidents highlight the need by all police departments to review both the psychological conditions of their officers and the effectiveness and ethical soundness of the tactics they employ.
However, the unnecessary force used on suspects is not a problem exclusive to municipal police departments. On Tuesday, Nov. 14, a UCLA student was forcefully removed from a university library computer lab after being unable to produce a university ID card, necessary for after-hours access. After "tasering" the student several times, university police dragged the man from the library, much to the bewilderment of horrified onlookers. Those who tried to intervene were threatened with tasing as well. A video of this incident was also posted on You Tube, eliciting a response from the university within hours. One of the officers in question has been accused of using excessive force several times in the past, but was inexplicably allowed to remain on the force.
This event is particularly disturbing for several reasons. The student in question is an Iranian exchange student who, prior to being tased, purportedly shouted, "Here's your Patriot Act! Here's your f------ abuse of authority," implying that racial profiling was at play.
Furthermore, the fact that such force could be used against any individual simply for being in a library after hours is cause for concern. Finally, the fact that this took place on a college campus has particular resonance for us. Kelvin Smith Library has such an after-hours policy, and one wonders if Case Security officers are so heavily armed. If so, why?
This summer, Case and the University Circle Police worked out a long-discussed and highly convoluted agreement for guaranteeing security on campus. The agreement stated, "Beginning in September, Case will transition its 24 campus security patrol officers to a department of 15 sworn patrol officers and 9 security patrol officers. These sworn officers will be authorized to carry arms and arrest and detain suspects as necessary."
While there is a noticeable commitment to prevent such abuse of authority as was seen at UCLA, there still must be an explanation as to why the university felt it necessary to accord such power and responsibility to the campus security force. I would suspect that similar transitions are occurring throughout the country on urban campuses, but why? Is it just to mollify the paranoid suburbanite parents of prospective students when they visit campus? Is it meant to be a show of force, a warning to the potential "troublemakers" who apparently stalk our campus? Or is it meant to placate those fearful members of the student body who regard the communities surrounding campus as a foreign and dangerous domain?
Whatever the reason, the university seems to be buying into the culture of fear which is responsible for the long-standing mentality of shoot now, ask questions later in the police and security forces of our country. These episodes serve as a stark reminder of the often overlooked daily struggle against police brutality in high crime and high poverty areas where police presence resembles more an occupation force than benevolent law enforcement. They also reflect the disconcerting obsession with safety and security in America which has only become more pointed since 9/11. What does it say about a community – our campus, or the country as a whole – when revered and indispensable liberties are tossed aside for a false sense of security?
Pieragastini is a senior History and International Studies major involved with Catalyst: Students for Social Justice, Case-ACLU, and the Philosophy Society.
