The police chief who oversaw the UC Davis police department during its notorious pepper spraying of Occupy protesters will resign today, university officials confirmed.
Annette Spicuzza told the Sacramento Bee, that she does not want the Nov. 18 incident to define her or the university, and she’s leaving so everyone involved can move forward.
Spicuzza, who was criticized in an independent report on the incident as leading a department that is "very dysfunctional," has led the 54-officer force for nearly seven years, with more than 20 years of police experience before coming to the university.
Spicuzza and two other officers were suspended with pay shortly after the Nov. 18 demonstration.
UC Davis police officers coated student protesters with pepper spray as the group of about 20 sat huddled in a line. The group was protesting rising tuition costs.
Last week, a 12-member task force issued a 190-page report finding that the incident "should and could have been prevented." It strongly criticized campus administrators and police handling of the incident.
UC Davis officials expect to have an announcement about Spicuzza's successor before the end of the week.
