SALT LAKE CITY The University of Utah has confirmed that Rodney Chatman, its new police chief, has been placed on administrative leave.
University spokesman Chris Nelson said Chatman was placed on leave sometime this week, and that Deputy Chief Jason Hinojosa is handling the day-to-day operations of the police department.
But Nelson declined to comment on why the chief was placed on leave or whether it is related to police certification issues.
The Utah Attorney General s Office also confirmed Friday it is one of multiple agencies involved in an investigation into the police chief, but declined to release any other details, noting that it cannot comment on open investigations.
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The University of Utah has confirmed that their new chief, Rodney Chatman, has been placed on administrative leave.
Deseret News reports that Chatman was placed on leave “sometime” this week, and that Deputy Chief Jason Hinojosa is handling the day-to-day operations of the police department.
The agency declined to comment on why the chief was placed on leave or whether it is related to police certification issues.
The Utah Attorney General’s Office also confirmed Friday it is one of multiple agencies involved in an investigation into the police chief, but declined to specify what they are investigating.
University of Utah Chief of Police on administrative leave and under investigation
University of Utah Police chief on leave
and last updated 2020-12-21 18:46:19-05
SALT LAKE CITY â The University of Utah police chief is on administrative leave and under investigation less than a year after he was hired.
Chief Rodney Chatman was asked not to come to work this week, University of Utah spokesperson Chris Nelson said Thursday.
FOX13 News Utah learned concerns about Chief Chatman were forwarded to P.O.S.T, the Department of Public Safetyâs office that oversees police officer training and certification. Concerns were later forwarded to the Utah Attorney Generalâs office for review.
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University of Utah Police Chief Rodney Chatman took over the department in January, and many were hopeful he’d help address campus safety concerns and rebuild student trust in the wake of Lauren McCluskey’s murder.
University of Utah Police Chief Rodney Chatman has been placed on administrative leave, according to the school’s communications director Chris Nelson.
Chatman was hired in January, taking over the department as it faced criticism for its handling of the on-campus murder of 21-year-old student athlete Lauren McCluskey in October 2018.
While university officials initially did not offer details about the reasons behind Chatman’s leave, the U’s Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch sent a statement late Friday evening which said it was because Chatman was being investigated by the Utah State Attorney General’s Office on allegations Chatman “may have violated certain guidelines that are also criminal offenses.”