Officials to Study Police Photo Policies

A UC Irvine librarian’s concerns over the photographing of some Asian American students who were stopped by police has prompted a review of the practice by council members.

In the past six weeks, six Asian American students from UC Irvine have complained to the university ombudsman that they were arbitrarily stopped by Irvine and Newport Beach police officers, who then photographed them.

Police officials in both cities have said their officers stop individuals only if there is “probable cause” and photograph them if there is suspicion of criminal activity.

But UC Irvine social science bibliographer Daniel Tsang, co-founder of a group that monitors county police practices, told council members Tuesday night that Asian Americans are being unfairly harassed by police.

Irvine Police Chief Charles Brobeck said a meeting with UC Irvine officials has already resolved the issue, adding that no complaints have ever been filed with his department.

“It’s a non-issue,” Brobeck said Wednesday. “It’s a situation where we’re dealing with Asian gang-bangers.”

UC Irvine ombudsman Ron Wilson has met with Irvine police and said he is satisfied that the students’ concerns are being met.

“The biggest concern we had was whether the police were circumventing the rights of individuals,” Wilson said. “I am satisfied that was not the intent of the police.”

Council members said they plan to meet individually with Brobeck to review the photographing policy, however.