ECU investigates inappropriate police behavior at Saturday's game

By: Elise Phillips

Posted: 9/9/08

University officials are investigating the use of unnecessary force by police officers at Saturday's ECU-West Virginia University game.

ECU Police Chief Scott Shelton confirmed that some fans that rushed the field were tackled or pushed to the ground by police officers, and punches were thrown by a sheriff's deputy whose name was not disclosed.

In a briefing before the game, police officers were instructed to deter fans from rushing onto the field after an ECU victory. According to Shelton, officers were told to be conscious of their surroundings and "to make a visible presence" around the field. Shelton said Monday that approximately 114 police officers were present at the game, about 60 of whom were on the field.

ECU Police were not the only force on the scene Saturday. Kinston and Greenville Police and both the Pitt and Lenoir County Sheriff's Departments were also on site.

Shelton said that these five law enforcement agencies did expect an ECU victory and anticipated that some fans would try to run onto the field following the game.

Hundreds of Pirate fans did rush the field after the 24-3 win over the Mountaineers, leading to allegations of misconduct. These allegations include reports of officers pushing one fan and throwing another to the ground, according to a press release sent out by the university on Sunday. Other witnesses say that fans were punched, elbowed and held to the ground after running onto the field.

"I can't determine a reason why [these things] happened," said Shelton, "but I can determine that they happened."

Shelton said Sunday that he will look into the allegations by reviewing videotapes and photos, and interviewing witnesses.

"Preliminary investigation indicates excessive force was used in an incident of most concern by complainants," he said.

As of Monday, the police department was still reviewing videotapes and photos (from several sources, Shelton said), and interviewing witnesses or victims.

About a dozen complaints had been filed as of yesterday, according to Shelton, and more are still coming in. Lt. Curtis Hayes of the ECU Police Department will be receiving all complaints and leading the investigation. Shelton encourages individuals who were victims of unnecessary police force, or witnessed the use of unnecessary force by police officers, to step forward.

Only one arrest was made during the rush of fans onto the field Saturday, but two other arrests were made while the game was being played.

Head Football Coach Skip Holtz said Monday that Saturday's win is being overshadowed by the fans' inundation of the field.

"I hate that [the win] is being marred by some fans that rushed the field," he said. "I know their intentions were not malicious or negative. They were excited [and] enthusiastic and they wanted to come out and share in the joy and jubilation, but I enjoy it a whole lot more when our players can go over and enjoy celebrating with the entire student body."

Lifelong Pirate fan Thomas "Bubba" Rosenbaum, a teacher from Thomasville, NC, attended the game, and said that the conduct he saw by police officers was uncalled for.

"I saw cops grabbing students and throwing them down…one cop was continuously punching one student in the face," he said. "People were just celebrating ECU's win, not bashing West Virginia."

This particular incident was not confirmed by Shelton or the Greenville Police Department.

Rosenbaum did admit that some of the conduct by the officers might have been necessary, although he did not recall ever seeing police officers react the way they did at Saturday's game.

"Obviously I couldn't see everything that was taking place and it's possible that some [force] was necessary, but I doubt that was the case," he said. "There's no harm in rushing the field with the team as long as [the fans] aren't bashing the other team."

Some YouTube videos were posted directly after the game, and some have already received thousands of views.

One video shows fans rushing onto the field from the ground level, some being chased by police officers. In another video, comments from fans can be heard regarding the police officers' conduct, including "He . . . tackled him!" followed by boos from the crowd.

An official statement by the ECU Police Department will be issued in the next 24 to 48 hours.

This writer can be contacted at editor@theeastcarolinian.com.