As police officers used force and pepper spray to restrain crowds of unruly partygoers, some University of Wisconsin students have called the police's behavior into question.

While the mayor's office claims officers were restrained, students and others believe they were victimized when they had little to do with the disturbances.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said citizens criticize police tactics at Halloween every year and many of his student consituents can be caught up in the unmanageable situation on State Street.

"At this point I've had five of my constituents complain to me about the way they were treated by police," Verveer said. "I am certainly disappointed and sad that a number of innocent bystanders were affected by pepper spray or physically hurt."

George Twigg, communications director for the mayor, said because the police were given the order to use pepper spray to disperse the crowd he is not surprised many onlookers were affected by the spray or perhaps even struck or moved by police.

"If there are people who stayed on State Street as onlookers to get a better view of the situation, it makes it easier for them to get caught between police and the people causing the problems," Twigg said.

As police deployed pepper spray to quell the riotous mob, many revelers lined the sidewalks hoping for a better view of the action. Twigg said the police were restrained, generally speaking, but had no choice with regard to dealing with the crowd.

Ben Thoma, a Halloween partygoer from DeForest, said he and a friend were attacked unprovoked by police officers.

"We were leaving the bar. The cops came up, and they billy clubbed me in the back," Thoma said. "[The officers] said, 'You gotta go.' We [agreed], and all of a sudden, there's the [pepper spray]."

Other revelers, who were not around for the disturbances, said police rubbed them the wrong way from the beginning of the night.

University of Wisconsin junior Tom Latzke said officers were disrespectful to him and his friends.

"I personally was hit by a horse several times. It seemed like some of the officers could not control their horses," Latzke said. "Also, when we were coming out of Qdoba with some food, the cops knocked our food and drink right out of our hands."

Latzke said he also saw police make some unnecessary arrests. It appeared like some cops were more violent than necessary or they wanted to prove who was boss, he added.

UW junior Chris Hanson, however, said he thought police handled the event pretty well, all things considered.

"The cops seemed pretty cool," Hanson said. "They were laughing at costumes and having fun with a lot of the people on the street. I guess the horse police were a little pushy, but that's to be expected — they're horses."

Madison Police Department Lt. Tom Snyder said despite what many may think police officers do not want trouble.

"Some people think cops are just looking for a fight," Snyder said. "But that's completely not the case."

Verveer said he thought officers were generally well-behaved over Halloween weekend.

"Most of the cops were very polite and happy to pose for pictures with people on the street," Verveer said.

Twigg said the mayor is proud of the way officers handled themselves on State Street and added the city would deal with any specific episode presented.

"Generally speaking, the police were restrained," Twigg said. "However, if there were individual incidents contrary to that, we will take a good look at exactly what happened in certain situations."