State representative and former police officer Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Schuylkill, on Friday called for a public apology to the law enforcement community from Penn State President Eric Barron.

"As a former member of the law enforcement community, I believe Penn State President Eric Barron's recent actions at a protest on campus were disrespectful, and as a result, I believe he should either issue a public apology to law enforcement officials, or step down as president of the university," Knowles said."Barron was photographed among student protesters in the 'hands up' position. As a former police officer, I know I am not alone in taking offense to such gesture. I think it is unbelievable that the president of the university would show such disrespect to police officers, including its own campus police."Barron made the gesture on Dec. 2 as students entered the second day of protests against the recent deaths of black people at the hands of white police officers. A grand jury's Nov. 24 decision to not indict a Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting on Aug. 9 of an unarmed 18-year-old, Michael Brown, triggered destructive riots in Ferguson.The "hands up, don't shoot" gesture has become a symbol of solidarity among those protesting the deaths. On Sunday, five members of the St. Louis Rams made the gesture as they entered the playing field.The protests have erupted in major cities across the country.