East Carolina investigating claims of police force

Sep 8, 2008 - 4:42 PM GREENVILLE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- East Carolina is investigating complaints of unnecessary force by police officers following Saturday's 24-3 upset victory over West Virginia.

Thousands of fans stormed the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to celebrate the win and according to one report, police punched a fan and threw another to the ground.

East Carolina police chief Scott Shelton said Monday that university officers are interviewing witnesses and analyzing photos and videotapes.

"Obviously, the safety of the students, fans and athletes at the game is our first concern," Shelton said. "It is simply unacceptable that anyone at a game is the victim of excessive force."

ECU police are assisted at home football games by officers from a number of jurisdictions, including the city of Greenville, Pitt County Sheriff's Department, the city of Kinston and Lenoir County.

Shelton said he will meet Monday with Greenville police chief Bill Anderson to seek his assistance in the investigation.

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

Shelton said at a briefing before the game, officers were told to try to deter fans from coming on the field. However, he also said that if that effort failed, police were instructed to step back and focus on making sure that those on the field remained safe.

East Carolina athletic director Terry Holland said he was unaware of the allegations, but indicated that the school is determined to prevent future incidents of fans "storming the field."

"While storming the field looks like a lot of fun on television, I can tell you from from first hand experience that there are too many incidents that results in sometimes serious injury," Holland said. "Such actions jeopardize the safety of many people, including our own coaches and players."

The Pirates (2-0) completely throttled then-No. 8 West Virginia for their second straight upset. East Carolina, which received the No. 20 ranking in Sunday's latest USA Today coaches' poll, also defeated then-No. 17 Virginia Tech on August 30.