Makes Sense: UC Davis Pepper Spraying Officer Has A Record Of Using Gay Slurs

At this point, unless you’ve been actively avoiding all news of OWS, you’re likely at least somewhat familiar with Lt. John Pike — he’s the officer who was filmed and photographed pepper spraying several student protesters at UC Davis (and, thus, found himself at the center of a new internet fad).

As it turns out, this isn’t the first time Lt. Pike’s actions have been called into question.

RELATED: Casually Pepper Spray Everything Cop Casually Pepper Sprays Great Works of Art

Pike was involved in a racial and sexual discrimination lawsuit filed by a former police officer against UC Davis’ police chief and the UC Board of Regents. In the lawsuit, which was settled in 2008 for the sum of $240,000, Officer Calvin Chang complained that he had been “systematically marginalized as the result of anti-gay and racist attitudes on the force,” noting that Pike had used a gay slur to describe him.

h/t Towleroad

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!