A new residence life resource officer – a member of the campus police department – will soon be stationed at the University of Utah’s Kahlert Village residence hall to connect with students and keep them safe. The idea is to help students build a relationship with the officer, not in a “busting them” role, but to build trust. The pilot program will begin in the 1,400-student village made up primarily of freshmen.
Sean Grube, associate vice president of housing and residential education, told KSL-TV about the program, “It’s really meant to be a bridge and an access point for students.”
Capt. Jason Hinojosa with campus police told the station that it’s critical he hires the right person for the job. “Their primary function is not patrol or enforcement,” he said. Hinojosa is looking for someone with excellent “policing” skills but also, “We want somebody who understands trauma-informed, victim-centered views, should that need arise,” he said.
Read more about this initiative here.
