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Investigation of the Moffitt Library Incident

NCJ Number
100156
Author(s)
A Kalmanoff
Date Published
1985
Length
80 pages
Annotation
An investigation was conducted into police and demonstrator charges and countercharges of undue provocation arising from a confrontation on the Berkeley campus of the University of California in February 1985.
Abstract
The incident occurred in front of thc Moffitt Library when police attempted to extricate a patrol car that had been surrounded by demonstrators during a protest march. Interviews were conducted with police, students, nonstudents, and faculty. Police policies and procedures were reviewed, as was relevant documentation of the incident. It was found that the incident should have been avoidable. While there did not appear to be an intentional scheme on the part of police to provoke demonstrators, a series of police actions focused the crowd and contributed to the crowd control problem. These included the number and high visibility of police mobile units, bumping of protestors, provocative field stop and interrogation tactics, and hasty use of force to extricate the vehicle without first attempting nonforceful means. Similarly, the protesters provoked the police through shouts and threats and by illegally interfering with the police car. Key issues considered during the investigation and recommendations for improving police policies and procedures are presented, together with an initial ombudsperson's report. Approximately 210 references.