News-in-brief: County launches probe into pepper spraying

Written by ANGELA SWARTZ
City Editor
Published on November 28, 2011
Filed under City News, Top Stories

Last week, university officials requested the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department begin an investigation into the Nov. 18 incident. UC Davis police officer Lance Faille is to lead a full-time probe on the case, which he described as not criminal, but “quasi-internal” in nature for now.

The investigation will include interviews with the involved officers, protesters and other eyewitnesses. Faille will review video and audio recorded prior to, during and after the pepper spraying.

Sheriff Ed Prieto told The Davis Enterprise he assigned Sergeant Faille to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office.

“At the conclusion of this inquiry, the district attorney may pursue criminal charges or issue a statement of findings and conclusions,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven said.

Raven said his department plans to review the UCPD’s policies and procedures regarding use of force to determine whether they were properly followed during the police action.