Arizona State University Begins Process of Firing Officer Who Used Excessive Force When Arresting Professor

Arizona State University Police are beginning the process of firing a campus police officer after a video of him arresting a professor went viral last year.

Administration at Arizona State University says they’ve begun the process of terminating officer Stewart Ferrin, who has been on administrative leave since video of the incident went viral back in May of 2014.

Reports say that Ferrin stopped Professor Ersula Ore for jaywalking but when she refused to show identification, a physical altercation ensued. Ore ended up pleading guilty to resisting arrest but when Ore leveled accusations at Ferrin for wrongful arrest and use of excessive force, and the video hit the Internet and went viral. The university then placed officer Ferrin on administrative leave.

Ferrin’s attorney says the officer plans to appeal the university’s decision to terminate his employment.



“The review of the officer’s performance, including his handling of the events of May 20, 2014, has entered the phase in which the department will make a final determination about whether discipline is warranted,” ASU said in a statement.

Reports say that the local law enforcement community is rallying together to support the officer.

Sources: Fox 10 Phoenix, AZ Central, USA Today