March 6th, 2008

Dance instructor in altercation with UPD’s Sergeant Laws

A March 4 article titled “Dispute over UPD incident” reported on an altercation between part-time dance lecturer Heather Cooper and Sgt. John Laws. Laws arrested Cooper on Feb. 19 for “resisting and delaying a police officer,” as she, according to Laws, attempted to approach a tow truck driver who was to impound her unregistered vehicle.Cooper, though, said she was actually walking to her car to get her child car seats.The altercation resulted with Cooper on the ground and two different accounts of the incident.A subsequent grievance has been filed with faculty affairs, said Johnathan Karpf, a faculty rights committee member. The grievance seeks compensation for Cooper’s medical expenses and attorney fees.The Spartan Daily is currently active in following the original article with accompanying developments in the situation.The grievance, which pertains to an SJSU personnel matter, may prove difficult to detail because of personnel confidentiality.As of now, Sgt. Laws is still an active-duty officer with the UPD. There have been no criminal or civil charges filed against him.The Spartan Daily will follow this matter closely as it involves the reputations of two State employees.

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