Nine months and $76,000 later, the UC Davis officer accused of pepper spraying student protesters in November no longer works on the police force.

Lt. John Pike and another officer were caught on cell phone video using pepper spray against students protesting tuition increases at the university.

A report released by a task force in April, assigned to investigate the incident and suggest recommendations for future actions, said the use of pepper spray was uncalled for.

Via:

"Consistent with privacy guidelines established in state law and university policy, I can confirm that John Pike's employment with the university ended on July 31, 2012," Shiller said. "I'm unable to comment further."

Pike, 39, declined to comment when reached by The Bee as he was sitting in a meeting on campus where he said he was being terminated.

Pike's 2010 salary was listed as $110,243.12. He has been on paid leave since the debacle unfolded last year, sparking worldwide outrage, numerous investigations and calls for the resignation of UC Davis leaders.

After the pepper-spray incident, Pike became the subject of an Internet meme, where he was digitally added to a Beyonce video, the U.S. Constitution, numerous paintings, soccer matches, and even...is that "Jaws"?

Sacramento Bee:

Annette M. Spicuzza, the embattled UC Davis police chief who came under fire in last week's report on what led to the Nov. 18 pepper spray incident on campus, has decided to retire, according to an email statement received by The Bee today.

"My 27 years in law enforcement have been dedicated to the ethical and committed service to the departments and communities I have been proud to be a part of," the statement read. "For the past seven years, I have accomplished many good things for both the Police Department and community here at UC Davis; and am grateful to those of you who have remembered this.

"As the university does not want this incident to be its defining moment, nor do I wish for it to be mine. I believe in order to start the healing process, this chapter of my life must be closed."

Spicuzza and Lt. John Pike, who pepper-sprayed UC Davis students participating in a non-violent protest on campus have both been on paid leave while internal affairs conducted an investigation of the incident.

Last week, a task force issued a report blaming the incident on poor planning, communication and decision-making at all levels of the school's administration.

The report was especially critical of Chief Spicuzza, Lt. Pike and UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi.