UT Officer Is Subject Of Scrutiny

Published in The Independent Collegian on February 9, 2006.

A UT police officer is being investigated after a student complaint of mistreatment.

The police report of the Dec. 4, 2005 incident describes Parks Tower resident Donte Stoner, 18, of being arrested after he refused to leave the building during an evening fire alarm.

Stoner did not leave the building because of the cold, the report states, and said he refused to go outside unless the assistant hall director on duty gave him her sweatshirt.

The treatment of Stoner during the altercation and the ensuing arrest are being disputed.

The incident was discussed at Tuesday's Student Senate meeting, where UT Chief of Police John Dauer explained the progress of the investigation against the officer.

"If the officer did treat the student [unprofessionally], then he can be disciplined … and he will be," Dauer said. "But I remain neutral until I have all the facts."

Dauer added that at this point, witnesses to the event have been interviewed to find out what really happened.

Gabrielle Seay, a student senator and junior majoring in sociology and Africana studies, expressed concern about how the police were addressing the issue.

"[Chief Dauer] said we have to find out the truth about the situation," Seay said. "[But] that kind of made me mad because in a situation like this, a student should have some leverage."

Stoner could not be reached for comment, and his mother said he probably wouldn't comment until after the court date next month.

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