An ABC affiliate is reporting that the "Pepper Spraying Cop," Lt John Pike was named specifically in a hostile environment discrimination lawsuit in 2003 for use of an anti-gay slur. The suit was eventually settled out of court by the department for $250,000.
Lt. John Pike was specifically named in the lawsuit as having used a "profane" homophobic in reference to police officer Calvin Chang. Chang says he was subjected to harassment within the department before filing his lawsuit.
Moreover, the plaintiff, Calvin Chang reports he made repeated complaints up the chain of use of excessive force, up the chain including specifically to police Chief Annette Spicuzza.
"Specifically, allegations of excessive force, which I reported to the university and to it's attorneys and it appears nothing was done about that," Chang said.
Unfortunately, it isn't unusual to see a whistleblower who questions excessive force singled out for harassment of this kind. It's sad rather than take Chang's allegations seriously, the Department allowed him to become a target, then apparently paid him off to leave. Meanwhile the force has allowed Pike a swift rise to the position of Lieutenant according to the AP:
He has risen swiftly through the ranks of the UC Davis police force over the last decade. As one of four lieutenants, the 39-year-old supervises more than one-third of the sworn officers, including the investigations unit.
Chang told the ABC affiliate:
"When I saw that, I was as shocked as anybody else, but not surprised when I realized who it was," Chang said. "Every police officer should know students have a right, citizens have a right to assemble and to peacefully protest. And they should not be met with violence."
Chang said he hopes the incident will bring better oversight of the department and institutional change at the university.
"They need to have somebody in the administration that has the authority that will oversee and supervise the police department, not just rubber stamp whatever they do," Chang said.
A CBS affiliate is also reporting this story: