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Police Brutality after ECU win


KSUChiefsTarheelFan
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So students stormed the field, and from the looks of things, it wasn't a good idea. MAKE SURE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO!

 

:wacko:

 

 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out...

 

 

East Carolina investigating fan, police confrontation after game

By Andy Gardiner, USA TODAY

GREENVILLE, N.C. — As East Carolina University investigates allegations that police officers used excessive force with fans Saturday following the Pirates' upset of West Virginia, university police chief Scott Shelton said Monday that poor communication between law enforcement agencies might have contributed to the incidents.

"We have five other jurisdictions who assist us at football games, and we will have a reassessment of what jurisdictions we use (in the future)," Shelton said at an on-campus news conference. "We will look at who we have trained with, who we know the best, who we're most comfortable with."

 

The ECU force is augmented at football games by members of the Greenville Police Department, Pitt County Sheriff's office, Winterville Police Department, Kinston Police Department and Lenoir County Sheriff's office. In addition, North Carolina state police officers assist in traffic control and on-field security for coach Skip Holtz.

 

"Celebration is not a crime at ECU, the city of Greenville or the state of North Carolina," Shelton said. "We're proud of the team, and we want to see our people celebrate. We're not out to manhandle fans and spectators. But the safety of the students, fans and athletes at the game is our first concern."

 

ECU is reviewing complaints that some fans in the sellout crowd of 43,610 were struck or thrown to the ground by officers. Investigators are interviewing witnesses and evaluating "several videos from several sources," Shelton said. He would not comment on which officers, if any, had been implicated, but said he hopes to address the most serious allegations in the next two days.

 

"There is no denying what you saw on film is sickening in nature," Shelton said of videos he has reviewed. "Any undue or excessive use of force will not be tolerated. You must treat people with dignity and respect. That is the attitude and demeanor our officers must have toward our fans."

 

Shelton said officers working Saturday's game discussed the possibility of a chaotic ending during pregame briefings.

 

"We fully expected this would be a probable outcome (if ECU won)," he said. "Our stance coming into this game was we knew West Virginia was highly ranked and we could expect an on-rush of students. We wanted to make a visible presence at the gates, at the fences (surrounding the field) and on the field.

 

"If one or two individuals tried to get on the field, we would try to detain those individuals to send a message. If we still got a large number of people, we would back off, watch the goal posts and observe the crowd."

 

Drew Griffin, president of the student government association, was at the fences following the game.

 

"Everyone felt they were being taunted by the officers," Griffin said. "It was like if you come over this fence you will be taken down. Maybe they were taking (the instruction to detain individuals as a message) a little too literally.

 

"None of us was being confrontational. We just wanted to be on the field and celebrate what might have been the biggest win in school history. In the end, I just walked around to an open gate and walked onto the field and nobody bothered me."

Edited by KSUChiefsTarheelFan
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OK I see 2 incidents on the video: one a guard takes a few whacks at (whoever), the other a guard picks up and basically slams someone to the ground. Yes both were excessive and the 1st one at least should get some kind of reprimand.

 

However re this:

 

"You must treat people with dignity and respect."
Being treated with dignity and respect is earned. Mindless irresponsible punks who rush the field despite clear warnings not to and security standing right there as a reminder which they blow off haven't exactly earned it to say the least, or much if any sympathy.

 

 

Drew Griffin, president of the student government association, was at the fences following the game.

 

"Everyone felt they were being taunted by the officers," Griffin said. "It was like if you come over this fence you will be taken down. Maybe they were taking (the instruction to detain individuals as a message) a little too literally.

"Too seriously" I assume was the term this English major was reaching for. Anyway Drew, since you I'm guessing you aren't quite the sharpest tool in the shed, FYI they were terribly out-numbered and so trying a little intimidation - basically anything to try and even the odds a little and likely in the hopes of deterrance, ie minimizing the bull rush they knew was coming.

 

None of us was being confrontational. We just wanted to be on the field and celebrate what might have been the biggest win in school history.

Despite it clearly being against the rules for a variety of reasons and having more than a few reminders of it (and let's face it, damn well knowing better). aw. Welcome to life, where you can't and shouldn't be allowed to do whatever you want. God forbid you should just celebrate in the stands or go back to your cars/dorms/etc and celebrate then.

 

I also think it's weak that apparently no one is really considering the guards/cops here. There are a handful of them vs this huge wave storming the field and it's entirely possible they could get hurt too - eg what if they go to stop someone and 5 of his buddies jump in to help, or they themselves get knocked over/"trampled" etc? Odds are not, but I would still think they'd be pretty nervous/on edge about the whole thing, and IMO rightfully so.

 

Again not excusing what security people did, but I have little sympathy for morons.

Edited by BeeR
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