UCLA Taser Incident Aftershocks
By Andrew Albanese & Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 1/15/2007
Librarians at the University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) and nationally have had to reconsider their late-night policies and relationship with campus police after a UCLA student was Tasered as many as five times after he refused to produce a student ID after hours in the Powell Library. The November 14 incident, part of which was caught on a cell phone camera and broadcast on YouTube, sparked student protests (see photo) and charges of police brutality.
“The library will review its policies and procedures,” UCLA deputy university librarian Susan Parker told LJ. “But this process must be developed over time and with reference to the results of the investigation that has been ordered by the acting chancellor.” American Library Association President Leslie Burger urged UCLA to reexamine security practices and restore a sense of “sanctuary” to the library.
Night rules
The library is staffed during extended hours by student employees and “community service officers who are hired and trained by the campus police department.” UCLA students have one official form of identification, the Bruin Card, which also serves as a library card. Students must agree to present the card when requested to establish their student status, Parker explained.
According to the Los Angeles Times, police said they used the Taser only after Mostafa Tabatabainejad refused to show his ID and urged other patrons to resist the police. Tabatabainejad’s lawyer said the student, of Iranian descent, felt he was being racially profiled. One witness told the Daily Bruin that police used the Taser even after Tabatabainejad had been handcuffed and was leaving the library.
“Here’s your Patriot Act. Here’s your fucking abuse of power,” Tabatabainejad yelled during the incident. “Stop fighting us,” police responded. “I’m not fighting you,” he replied.
Taser rules
Tasers have become increasingly common tools for law enforcement on university campuses and are carried on as many as six of the UC campuses, with their deployment proscribed by guidelines issued by the UC Police Department (UCPD). Those guidelines describe the Taser as a “less lethal” device used to incapacitate subjects. The guidelines state that “although not absolutely prohibited,” officers should give additional consideration to unique circumstances before applying the Taser, including the “nature of the offense” or use on “individuals who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained.” Tabatabainejad, who was charged with resisting a peace officer, was said to be planning a suit for false arrest. Acting chancellor Norman Abrams insisted that the “fact-finding process” must run its course before any determinations are made. Some UC campuses, however, may not wait for the outcome of that investigation to take Tasers out of action.
