By Michael Litschi
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The 800 California Highway Patrol officers housed in the
residence halls during the Democratic National Convention returned
home last week, but not before complaints surfaced about the
actions of some officers.
Berky Nelson, director of the Center for Student Programming,
said he received two complaints regarding officer conduct on campus
last week.
“The first complaint had to do with two members of the CHP
dressed in civilian clothes who saw some literature regarding DNC
demonstrations carried by students in an elevator and demanded that
it be handed over,” Nelson said.
Sgt. Rhett Price, spokesman for the southern division of the
CHP, said the woman involved in the elevator incident was carrying
“inflammatory” flyers about DNC protests.
“The men who questioned her didn’t identify
themselves as CHP officers,” Price said. “She
couldn’t say for sure if the men were with the CHP, but made
that assumption because the officers were checking in on that
day.”
Price said the highway patrol also received an anonymous
complaint about a traffic stop made by an on-duty officer.
“Four black males were in the car, but they couldn’t
identify the cause for the stop or the type of harassment they
experienced,” Price said.
Though CHP officers weren’t patrolling the campus, Price
said this didn’t preclude officers who saw blatant violations
from stopping motorists.
The students involved in the traffic stop scheduled a meeting
with Nelson late last week, but it was postponed until some time
this week.
In both cases, the students involved had mentioned the incidents
to one of their professors, who notified Nelson.
Nelson then referred the complaints to housing director Michael
Foraker and UCPD Asst. Chief Karl Ross, who told him they would
look into the matter. Foraker could not be reached for comment, and
Ross would not comment on the issue.
Because no formal complaints were filed in either case, Price
said it would be difficult for the CHP to investigate the
allegations further.
“If someone feels that they were being harassed or not
being treated with the utmost respect, we encourage them to come
forward,” Price said. “We take all complaints seriously
and investigate them thoroughly.”
In addition to these two incidents, students also said they
witnessed CHP officers drinking alcoholic beverages outside
residence halls throughout the week.
“Officers were out here every night lounging, smoking
cigars and drinking,” said Sassan Rafail, a temporary worker
hired to distribute uniforms to officers. “I can understand
that they would want to relax after working 17 to 18-hour
days.”
Sam Araghi, another temporary worker, said he saw officers
drinking while in uniform.
“I don’t think that’s right because
you’re representing your organization when you have your
uniform on,” he said.
According to the alcohol policy in the On-Campus Housing
Handbook, “Possession of opened or visible containers
anywhere within or on grounds immediately adjacent to the On Campus
Housing facilities except in an assigned student room when the door
is closed … is prohibited.”
Price said Sgt. Todd Sturges observed off-duty officers drinking
outside residence halls on several occasions throughout the
week.
“He informed them that it was not allowed in open areas
and was against university policy,” Price said. “He
told them to take the drinks back to their rooms.”
When officers arrived on campus last Thursday, Sturges briefed
them on university rules and guidelines, including the policy
regarding alcohol at the residence halls.
“We were looking to follow all guidelines and wanted
ensure that we complied with university regulations,” Price
said.
Price said Sturges didn’t see officers drinking in uniform
but said that doing so was forbidden and would be grounds for an
investigation and possible disciplinary action.
In addition to the two complaints received by the
administration, students participating in the Freshman Seminar
Program, a college preparatory program for minority students, said
FSP counselors informed them about a third harassment incident
involving several members of the program at a floor meeting.
Price said that as guests at UCLA, officers were expected to
follow campus rules.
“We expect our officers to conduct themselves ethically,
morally and professionally at all times, especially while they are
on campus at UCLA,” Price said.
“They are representatives of the department,” he
said. “We expect their conduct to be the highest at all
times.”