The University of Utahâs new chief safety officer is leaving after a year in the post
Marlon Lynch has accepted a new job overseeing public safety at Michigan State University.
(Photo courtesy of the University of Utah) Pictured is Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch, who will be leaving the U. in March to take a position with Michigan State University. | Updated: 7:22 p.m.
The first-ever chief safety officer at the University of Utah â hired to reform and rebuild the campus police department â is stepping down now after a year in the post.
Marlon Lynch announced in a letter Tuesday that he has accepted a new job overseeing public safety at Michigan State University, his alma mater. He was named a finalist for that position earlier this month.
| Updated: 1:35 a.m.
And his potential departure comes as the police chief he oversees and who was also hired to help with reform is currently on paid administrative leave.
The two highest ranked leaders over security at the school came to the U. in the wake of student-athlete Lauren McCluskey’s murder in October 2018, which raised serious concerns about how the officers there responded to crimes and treated female victims. They’ve both been in their respective positions for less than a year. But dysfunction has continued to dog the department in that time.
“The caliber of candidates has been very strong national candidates with extensive experience in crisis situations, public safety priorities for college campuses and the ability to lead a large, diverse team,” said MSU’s Alan Haller, deputy athletic director and search committee chair, when the three finalists were named earlier this month. The statement was published by The State News, the student newspaper at
University of Utah police chief is being forced out, lawyer says, over his transparency about missteps in Lauren McCluskeyâs case
After being put on administrative leave, the chief has retained an attorney.
(Photo courtesy of the University of Utah) Pictured is Rodney Chatman. | Updated: 4:49 a.m.
The new police chief at the University of Utah is being forced out as a scapegoat, his attorney said, over persistent concerns about how slain student-athlete Lauren McCluskeyâs case was mishandled â and for his transparency in discussing them.
Rodney Chatman, the chief chosen to oversee the department in a campus safety overhaul after McCluskeyâs murder, was placed on administrative leave Dec. 10. The U.âs spokesman, Chris Nelson, confirmed that development Friday but declined to comment further on the personnel matter.