A widely viewed video shows one officer walking along the line of students at an Occupy Davis encampment Friday, spraying them at close range as they bend their heads but otherwise remain still. Statements afterward by the police chief, who was placed on leave Monday, and Chancellor Linda Katehi only fueled the anger by appearing to defend the two officers who previously were placed on leave.

While deploring the incident and vowing to investigate thoroughly, Katehi reportedly said the police officers were technically following protocol, though some situations call for not following protocol. If the police were indeed following protocol, there might be a serious problem with the protocol itself.

Generally, police agencies use pepper spray to subdue violent suspects or break up aggressive crowds, not to gain compliance from peaceful, non-threatening people.

-L.A. Times