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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah deputy chief of police resigned from his position earlier this week, school officials confirmed Wednesday evening.
Rick McLenon, the former deputy chief, submitted his resignation Monday and it was accepted on Tuesday, a school spokesman said.
Further information about the resignation, including what led McLenon to leave the position, weren’t released.
During his time as deputy chief, McLenon was in charge of patrol operations, investigations, training, special events, hospital security operations, community outreach, main campus security and administrative operations, according to the U.’s Department of Public Safety.
He also served as interim police chief prior to the hire of Rodney Chatman, after ex-chief Dale Brophy left the department in July 2019. The departure came as the university was under scrutiny for its handling of the investigation surrounding the October 2018 murder of student-athlete Lauren McCluskey, an investigation that led to at least two other officers leaving the force.
McLenon, who previously worked with the West Valley City police department, had been with the University of Utah since 2014.
The university is facing two $56 million wrongful-death lawsuits after failing to reach a settlement with McCluskey's parents, who allege that the police department and housing officials failed to take steps to protect McCluskey after she and her friends repeatedly sought help, violating her right to gender equality. The lawsuits also maintains that the actions represent a pattern of minimizing claims of harassment and violence reported by women.
