UC: Mediation, not police, for protests | Education

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The University of California is recommending that school administrators consider deploying mediators instead of police in future campus demonstrations after criticism of officers' use of force during protests last year.

The UC report issued Friday lists 50 policy recommendations to help guide the system's future responses to campus protests.

It's the latest in a series of reports examining police use of pepper spray and batons during Occupy-related demonstrations on Berkeley and Davis campuses.

Among the recommendations, the report suggests that campus administrators be trained in de-escalation techniques that can be used in lieu of sending in police.

The report also recommends developing internal student disciplinary measures instead of having protesters arrested and sent to the criminal justice system.