JR2004
09-10-2008, 02:27 AM
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/27979039.html
ECU police say they have completed an initial inquiry into complaints that excessive force was used against fans who stormed the field after the West Virginia game.
University spokesman John Durham tells WITN News that ECU will not bring any charges against any officer involved with what happened Saturday. Durham says that's because a mutual-aid agreement says any charges would have to be brought by the police officer's own department and not ECU police.
ECU police chief Scott Shelton refuses to identify officers who have been identified in the video tapes or even what agencies they belong to, citing personnel laws. He has forwarded the information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for their own investigations. He said any disciplinary action would have to come from the officer's departments.
ECU says for the remainder of the football season the university will reduce the number of outside agencies and will only use officers from within Pitt County.
Chancellor Steve Ballard said the university will review its game-day protocols and training to make sure everything possible is done to protect the safety of fans and players at the game. "Safety is paramount," Ballard said. "Everything starts with that."
Ballard says university police will work with both the Athletics Department and the Student Government Association to educate students about the dangers of rushing onto the field after a game.
Meanwhile, Kinston police say they've received no complaints from anyone involved with what happened Saturday. In WITN's video, several officers who appear to be wearing Kinston police uniforms were seen body-slamming one fan, and physically restraining another.
Kinston police say they're still awaiting information from ECU police on what happened.
ECU police say they have completed an initial inquiry into complaints that excessive force was used against fans who stormed the field after the West Virginia game.
University spokesman John Durham tells WITN News that ECU will not bring any charges against any officer involved with what happened Saturday. Durham says that's because a mutual-aid agreement says any charges would have to be brought by the police officer's own department and not ECU police.
ECU police chief Scott Shelton refuses to identify officers who have been identified in the video tapes or even what agencies they belong to, citing personnel laws. He has forwarded the information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for their own investigations. He said any disciplinary action would have to come from the officer's departments.
ECU says for the remainder of the football season the university will reduce the number of outside agencies and will only use officers from within Pitt County.
Chancellor Steve Ballard said the university will review its game-day protocols and training to make sure everything possible is done to protect the safety of fans and players at the game. "Safety is paramount," Ballard said. "Everything starts with that."
Ballard says university police will work with both the Athletics Department and the Student Government Association to educate students about the dangers of rushing onto the field after a game.
Meanwhile, Kinston police say they've received no complaints from anyone involved with what happened Saturday. In WITN's video, several officers who appear to be wearing Kinston police uniforms were seen body-slamming one fan, and physically restraining another.
Kinston police say they're still awaiting information from ECU police on what happened.