Student Arrested, Tasered at Kerry Event

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
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<p>You can clearly see the student aggressively resisting arrest, not just once but pretty much throughout the entire ordeal. There's no question that it's UFPD's job to maintain security, and if they have to choose, they MUST err on the side of greater control. I'm surprised more people don't understand this in light of the recent tragic events at VT. Once the police have the situation under control, they can always loosen their grip. But if something tragic happens (e.g., an assignation) and they had the opportunity to control the situation but didn't, there will be no forgiveness.</p>

<p>The knee-jerk reactionists should really sit back for a few moments and just think before they spout off and demonstrate. Their hasty actions may result in policy changes that could potentially jeopardize the safety of all. I'm glad UFPD acted so promptly and effectively. They should be commended for their effectiveness.</p>

22

<p>UF Student Government just sent the following e-mail to all UF students on their listserve:</p>

<p>Incident at Senator Kerry Forum‏</p>

<p>As you are by now aware, yesterday afternoon, as a town hall forum with Senator John Kerry was ending, there was an incident in which a student was tasered. Many of you, and many of your parents, have expressed your concerns regarding this incident to me and my staff. I would like to assure you that the University is interested in learning what happened and in ensuring that we utilize best practice protocols in maintaining a safe campus environment while protecting the freedom to speak. I would like to reiterate the immediate steps, laid out by President Machen in his letter to the university community, which are being taken in response to the incident. University of Florida Police Chief Linda Stump has requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conduct a formal investigation into the arrest of UF student Andrew Meyer. An independent review such as this will make sure the results are objective and impartial. Chief Stump's priority is to ensure that the public remains confident in the department's ability to keep the campus safe. Two officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The institution plans to assemble a panel of faculty and students to review our police protocols, our management practices and the FDLE report to come up with a series of recommendations for the university. Administrators and police officials plan to analyze the incident and conduct an internal review and will consider changing protocols in response to this incident, if necessary. Finally, as is standard procedure, the State Attorney's Office will review the charges brought against Mr. Meyer. We have communicated with the State Attorney and understand that a review of the case will be expedited. We plan to keep students updated on any progress through our website, <a href="http://www.vpsa.ufl.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.vpsa.ufl.edu&lt;/a>. Sincerely, Patricia Telles-IrvinVice President for Student Affairs</p>

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<p>This would never happen at a private university. Only state universities treat their own students like animals.</p>

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<p>According to the latest AP feed, Meyer is "a known prankster who often posts practical jokes online...in the police report...Meyer's demeanor completely changed once the cameras were not in sight and that he was 'laughing' and 'lighthearted' on the way to jail."</p>

<p>You know can also get this sort of reaction out of the police if other ways too. For example you can yell "I have a bomb!" while in the secure area of an airport, by calling 911, etc. But if it's just a prank and the police realize this, I doubt they'll be laughing. They're no longer your friends at this point.</p>

<p>It's fine to make the police the butts of jokes and portray them as farm animals. But your attitude will change precisely at the moment when you really need their help. Just ask the students of Columbine and VT.</p>

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<p>As I recall, the police were a big help at VT.</p>

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<p>I guess then they should have had the UF police at VT?</p>

27

<p>jeez.</p>

<p>what the heck is going on?</p>

<p>first underproactive police, and now overproactive police. This is just going way too far.</p>

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<p>I just got a glimpse at Princeton's Review 2008 Rankings:</p>

<p>Most Likely University for Student to Get Tasered</p>

<p>1.- University of Florida</p>

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<p>he deserved it.</p>

<p>when they say "i'm going to taser you if you don't comply," they are not jk-ing. he would've gotten off so much better if he had just listened. he was resisting arrest. not to mention he was being a jerk while asking his questions. D:</p>

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<p>But why was he arrested in the first place? For exercising his right to free speech? Is it against the law to be a jerk? Kerry was fine with the question.</p>

31

<p>You can certainly be a jerk when you're with your friends. That's okay. It's good to go out with your buddies, have a few beers, and act like a jerk. You need to get it out of your system now and then.</p>

<p>But at a controlled event involving a U.S. Senator, it's not really smart to act like a jerk. Unfortunately, most college kids who have lived sheltered, protected lives think they can do what the hell they want whenever they want, and many times they do. But sometimes, it will bite you. </p>

<p>This is not about freedom of speech. Students were given ample opportunity to express themselves. This is about a naive kid not knowing were to draw the line and when start acting like a responsible adult with respect for law and order.</p>

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<p>This is unbelievable - has everyone forgotten VT, if we allow these students to be aggressive - where does it end. We need to know that our campus is safe and maybe they shouldn't have tasered the kid but we can't take chances any more, so better safe than sorry, he was posing a threat and the police did what they had to do to control the situation.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
But why was he arrested in the first place?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>He was not arrested in the first place. The police were escorting him out of the auditorium when he decided to be a dumb ass and start resisting. Thats when the police figured he was out of control and not cooperative and needed to arrest him.</p>

<p>He was causing a disturbance before the tape even started and thats why the police were standing behind him. They were not doing that with the other students. Why do you think the students in the auditorium clapped when the police were trying to take him outside? They were tired of his antics. And it gets fishy when you hand you friend a camera right before your going to speak; which what he did. </p>

<p>
[quote]
For exercising his right to free speech?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Its not about free speech, its about his behavior.</p>

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<p>This isn't about free speech, it's about a common occurance these days..</p>

<p>The ME show! Look at ME! pay attiention to ME! What I have to say is important!</p>

<p>He took this as an opportunity to steal the program, to make it about ME! </p>

<p>It's all about ME! ME! ME! ZAP :o No, it isn't son. :)</p>

<p>Sometimes folks have to come to the realization that you aren't the most important person in the room AND nobody cares about your opinion....</p>

<p>This is the drawback to technology and the internet, it gives some a false sense of importance that doesn't carry over in the real world. That would apply to our young "mr. woodward" here. Whatever enlightenment he was bringing to the party, really wasn't much. Shouting and waving your arms doesn't make what you have to say important. </p>

<p>I find it funny that people critical of the police reaction may have NEVER ever been a physical conflict as an adult. It's a little bit different than the shoving match you had at cub scouts. Having never been in a situation where you must completely control the other person, it's unfair to criticise. ;)</p>

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<p>ASMAJ:</p>

<p>I don’t even know why I am responding to your post.</p>

<p>First, this is very much about free speech. Flag burning is protected speech, but it is conduct. You cannot separate the two.</p>

<p>This guy may have been seeking attention and he may have been rude, but this type of behavior is often encountered at such events on college campuses. Most colleges know how to deal with these matters effectively and they avoid national headlines. Kerry alluded to this fact in his statement when he spoke of the number of times he had given speeches under trying circumstances and never encountered this type of reaction by police officers. Kerry was fine with the questions and was in the process of answering them. If the police left this guy alone, everything would have likely been fine. </p>

<p>But, even if the police felt that it was necessary to escort him out of the room, four or five of them could have easily accomplished the task without causing a big scene. They could have carried him outside and told him to leave and not return. There was no need to arrest him. He did not make any threats and took no threatening action towards anyone. He was unarmed. The police action was clearly excessive under the circumstances.</p>

<p>If the police acted rationally, we wouldn’t be here talking about this matter today.</p>

<p>But that is not what the police wanted. “[T]he police were standing behind him,” they wanted a confrontation. They were going to teach this little brat a lesson -- that was their mindset. I can imagine that these officers don’t like the “spoiled” college students that they deal with on a daily basis, and that they sometimes let their prejudices and emotions get the best of them. I can also imagine that these officers have been itching to use their tazers on one of the little jerks since they were issued to them. So, they sized the opportunity. They caused a big scene and, consequently, great embarrassment to the university. UF’s president looked very troubled when he was addressing this issue on national television.</p>

<p>Honestly, I don’t think the police were properly trained. Their job was to keep things under control, but their actions had the opposite effect. They should not be tazering the university’s own students, especially when a particular student poses no threat to anyone.</p>

<p>Most colleges do not issue tazers to their police officers.</p>

<p>If the officers' focus was on keeping things orderly, this incident would not have occurred and all of the negative publicity would have been avoided. Again, it’s not the police department’s job to teach students a lesson. </p>

<p>Maybe these particular officers simply do not possess the appropriate temperament for the positions that they hold. Perhaps they should be reassigned or find another line of work. At a minimum, they should obtain appropriate training.</p>

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<p>I agree completely with quixotic. It is an utter abuse of power to taser / torture someone, or even to put hands on him when he had done nothing wrong. Over 150 people have died from taser stuns. It's not exactly a party toy. There were six to eight officers on top of him when they used the taser. Completely unnecessary. Trained or untrained, it speaks to the morals of the officers involved. It is reprehensible. And frankly, if the administration of that school doesn't have the cajones to fire those idiots, I'll lodge a protest in the only manner I am able - in the form of a letter to them, informing them of a hiring freeze for University of Florida graduates at my modest little company of a few hundred employees. And, I intend to spread the suggestion to others. If the studentry and administration of that school can't see the problem, I want no part of them.</p>

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<p>I just love the post by Quixotic.</p>

<p>"If the police had acted rationally"</p>

<p>Yes, the police had nothing better to do that afternoon than start a fight with a college kid. By the way I would guess that all of those officers involved HAVE college degrees themselves so don't portray them as being something as other than acting professionally toward all UF students.
How do you know that he posed no threat to anyone? Were all the students searched and passed thru a metal detector before entering the room? I think not. You may want to continue to see things thru your rosy glasses but the full video does not lie or twist the story around. He continued to struggle all the way out of the room. ONLY after the handcuffs are on him would a ratioanl person conider him "under control" Again the video clearly shows his left hand against the backrest of the chair while they are trying to handcuff him. ONLY AFTER being shocked did he finally comply.
Continue seeing what you want to see. If he had pulled a gun or a knife and hurt someone you would all be screaming about how incompetent the UP was.</p>

38

<p>don't tase me bro!!!1</p>

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<p>"This would never happen at a private university. Only state universities treat their own students like animals."</p>

<p>quixotic, just shut up. You sound like a moron</p>

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<p>that idiot got pwned. He should get fined for his idiocy.</p>