Campus police officer who pepper-sprayed peaceful student protesters is awarded £25,000 in compensation for 'psychiatric injuries'
The court agreed payment means that the officer has been better compensated that the victims of his pepper spraying
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A disgraced campus police officer, who made international headlines in 2011 after being pictured pepper-spraying students at a Occupy Wall Street protest, has been awarded £25,000 in compensation for 'psychiatric injuries' he allegedly experienced as a result of his actions.
John Pike was caught on video spraying peaceful protesters seated on the ground with pepper spray at the University of California. His actions drew worldwide opprobrium and led to Mr Pike being fired in July 2012 after eight months of paid administrative leave.
The images of Mr Pike spraying protesters with the orange liquid became a symbol of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
The 40-year-old former officer said that as a result of the publicity surrounding the incident he suffered depression and anxiety after death threats were sent to him and his family over the incident on November 18, 2011.
Mr Pike, who was fired on a salary of $121,680 (£75,120), has been awarded compensation by UC Davis. The court agreed payment means that the officer has been better compensated that the victims of his pepper spraying.
The university agreed to settle a $1million (£617,360) federal suit for the students involved. The 21 claimants received $30,000 (£18,520) each and 15 others $6,666 (£4,115).
“This case has been resolved in accordance with state law and processes on workers' compensation,” UC Davis spokesman Andy Fell told the Davis Enterprise.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments