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UF Police Cleared In Use Of Taser On Student

AP Photo

Some questioned the use of force against student Andrew Meyer.

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The Associated Press

Published: October 24, 2007

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida police were justified when they used a Taser against a student who refused to stop questioning Sen. John Kerry at a campus event, according to a state investigation released today.

A 17-page executive summary of the 300-page Florida Department of Law Enforcement report was released by the University of Florida after some questioned the use of force against student Andrew Meyer.

The scuffle between Meyer and police started during the Sept. 17 speech when Meyer refused to leave the microphone after his allotted time was up, police said. The videotaped altercation and Meyer's cries of "don't tase me, bro!" were played frequently on the Internet.

"In short, the FDLE determined that our officers acted well within state guidelines," university President Bernie Machen said in a letter to students, faculty and staff.

Machen said two officers who were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation were reinstated today.

Machen said a student-faculty committee formed to determine how existing event management rules can be improved will continue to meet.

Meyer has been charged by police with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, but the state attorney's office has not decided whether to file formal charges.

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