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By Michael Litschi

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

The 800 California Highway Patrol officers housed in the residence halls during the Democratic National Convention returned home last week, but not before complaints surfaced about the actions of some officers.

Berky Nelson, director of the Center for Student Programming, said he received two complaints regarding officer conduct on campus last week.

“The first complaint had to do with two members of the CHP dressed in civilian clothes who saw some literature regarding DNC demonstrations carried by students in an elevator and demanded that it be handed over,” Nelson said.

Sgt. Rhett Price, spokesman for the southern division of the CHP, said the woman involved in the elevator incident was carrying “inflammatory” flyers about DNC protests.

“The men who questioned her didn’t identify themselves as CHP officers,” Price said. “She couldn’t say for sure if the men were with the CHP, but made that assumption because the officers were checking in on that day.”

Price said the highway patrol also received an anonymous complaint about a traffic stop made by an on-duty officer.

“Four black males were in the car, but they couldn’t identify the cause for the stop or the type of harassment they experienced,” Price said.

Though CHP officers weren’t patrolling the campus, Price said this didn’t preclude officers who saw blatant violations from stopping motorists.

The students involved in the traffic stop scheduled a meeting with Nelson late last week, but it was postponed until some time this week.

In both cases, the students involved had mentioned the incidents to one of their professors, who notified Nelson.

Nelson then referred the complaints to housing director Michael Foraker and UCPD Asst. Chief Karl Ross, who told him they would look into the matter. Foraker could not be reached for comment, and Ross would not comment on the issue.

Because no formal complaints were filed in either case, Price said it would be difficult for the CHP to investigate the allegations further.

“If someone feels that they were being harassed or not being treated with the utmost respect, we encourage them to come forward,” Price said. “We take all complaints seriously and investigate them thoroughly.”

In addition to these two incidents, students also said they witnessed CHP officers drinking alcoholic beverages outside residence halls throughout the week.

“Officers were out here every night lounging, smoking cigars and drinking,” said Sassan Rafail, a temporary worker hired to distribute uniforms to officers. “I can understand that they would want to relax after working 17 to 18-hour days.”

Sam Araghi, another temporary worker, said he saw officers drinking while in uniform.

“I don’t think that’s right because you’re representing your organization when you have your uniform on,” he said.

According to the alcohol policy in the On-Campus Housing Handbook, “Possession of opened or visible containers anywhere within or on grounds immediately adjacent to the On Campus Housing facilities except in an assigned student room when the door is closed ... is prohibited.”

Price said Sgt. Todd Sturges observed off-duty officers drinking outside residence halls on several occasions throughout the week.

“He informed them that it was not allowed in open areas and was against university policy,” Price said. “He told them to take the drinks back to their rooms.”

When officers arrived on campus last Thursday, Sturges briefed them on university rules and guidelines, including the policy regarding alcohol at the residence halls.

“We were looking to follow all guidelines and wanted ensure that we complied with university regulations,” Price said.

Price said Sturges didn’t see officers drinking in uniform but said that doing so was forbidden and would be grounds for an investigation and possible disciplinary action.

In addition to the two complaints received by the administration, students participating in the Freshman Seminar Program, a college preparatory program for minority students, said FSP counselors informed them about a third harassment incident involving several members of the program at a floor meeting.

Price said that as guests at UCLA, officers were expected to follow campus rules.

“We expect our officers to conduct themselves ethically, morally and professionally at all times, especially while they are on campus at UCLA,” Price said.

“They are representatives of the department,” he said. “We expect their conduct to be the highest at all times.”

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