The Berkeley Police Department sent fifteen officers to the Occupy Oakland demonstration Tuesday evening to support the Oakland Police in its efforts to break up the protests. “The Oakland Police Department (OPD) requested mutual aid through the Alameda County Mutual Aid Coordinator, who in turn requested mutual aid from various law enforcement agencies within the county,” BPD Public Information Officer Sergeant Mary C. Kusmiss told Berkeleyside.
“The basis of the request was that OPD was unable to address and manage the situation safely (and take care of the City of Oakland) with their internal resources. On the night of Tuesday, October 25, BPD sent one squad of 12 BPD officers, two sergeants and a Lieutenant.”
The Berkeley Daily Planet today reported that Berkeley Police took part in “the assault” on the Occupy protesters and posted video footage of the clashes between police and protestors. The Oakland Tribune also reported that outside police agencies — including the Berkeley department and UCPD — were called in to aid Oakland police.
Sgt Kusmiss said the level of involvement of the BPD was minimal. “We served as outer perimeter and traffic control,” she said “BPD officers were not involved in any use of tear gas or any other form of non-lethal force.”
The Bay Citizen is reporting that an Iraq vet was critically wounded in the protests, possibly from a shot to the head. An Oakland police officer told The Bay Citizen that the police department is investigating a use of force incident that caused serious injuries, but that it may not be OPD who was responsible. On Tuesday night, Oakland police said officers did not use any rubber bullets or non-lethal munitions to quell the protest.
Four Occupy protestors attended Berkeley City Council last night, according the the Daily Californian, to request support from councilmembers and to ask that the city not take police action at the Occupy Berkeley demonstrations.
Related:
All quiet at Occupy Berkeley camp at MLK Park [10.26.11]
Berkeley joins 900 cities to condemn corporate greed [10.16.11]
