COLUMBUS — Officers from multiple agencies used pepper spray to break up the fight between Ohio State and University of Michigan players Saturday after the Buckeyes lost, according to the Ohio State University Police Department, originally reported by our news partner TV10 WBNS.
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A spokesperson with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office claims one of their deputies can be seen on video using pepper spray, acknowledging that it is a common crowd-control tool.
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“This incident is being reviewed as part of our standard protocol whenever mace or pepper spray is used. It is important to note that such tools are often used in crowd control situations to help safely disperse individuals and maintain order,” the spokesperson said.
Ohio State police, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies, University of Michigan police and private security agents were on the field at the time of the brawl, but it is unclear if other officers used pepper spray.
According to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Brian Steel, an Ohio State officer was trampled during the brawl. The officer was taken to the hospital, treated for a head injury and released Sunday, Steel said.
Robert Meader, a retired commander with the Columbus Division of Police, trains officers on the use of force.
Meader said Saturday’s incident met the justifications for using pepper spray. He added pepper spray is a common method used to make a large crowd disperse and stop physical violence.
“What is the severity of the crime? In this case, there are assaults that are ongoing. What was the apparent threat posed by the suspect? In this situation, the suspects were continuing to fight. And the third prong the U.S. Supreme Court carved out was the suspect attempting to flee or resist? In this case, they were resisting,” Meader explained.
Meader said it’s possible those involved in the fight could face legal repercussions. No arrests have been made from the incident, according to a spokesperson from Ohio State.
“We have to understand the athletic competition was over, so the rules of the game are done. There is not an ejection or any sort of penalty, and so I do believe that will be something the law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices will take a moment to review and to determine if there will be any criminal charges that may be applicable especially since an officer was injured,” he said.
Both Ohio State and Michigan have been fined $100,000 by the Big Ten Conference for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy.
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