Pepper spraying cop photoshopped images becomes an internet craze

The officer, whose name is Lieutenant John Pike but who's known simply as 'Pepper Spraying Cop' online, was captured on video dousing the faces of sitting protesters.

The footage is remarkable for his seemingly cavalier disposition.

The meme positions the officer pepper-spraying famous figures through history, movies, famous paintings and just about anything else. George Washington crossing the Potomac gets it, and so does Jesus at the Last Supper. Even the hobbits of 'Lord of the Rings' get sprayed.

The essential point of the manipulated images is to highlight the absurd nature of the spraying, an apparently callous authority meting out punishment.

This kind of meme – unlike the viral protests themselves – runs counter to the movement's seriousness.

It is amusing satire, but instead of shouts of injustice, the meme gleefully separates from reality.
Meanwhile, UC Davis students are doing more than snickering at Internet photos.

They've gathered to condemn the violence and urged university officials to require police to attend sensitivity training.

Mr Pike, along with another officer and the campus police chief have been placed on paid administrative leave.