Utah Valley University (UVU) is increasing its security and police presence after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated on campus September 10.
A UVU spokesman told the Daily Caller News Foundation the school is bringing on eight new police officers and two new security managers “to provide additional oversight and support for campus events.” The university was heavily criticized following the fatal shooting of Kirk for its apparent lack of security measures.
“University police officers play a vital role in maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment by enforcing local, state, and federal laws while upholding the university’s values of respect, integrity, and inclusion,” Ellen Treanor, UVU’s associate vice president of strategic communications, told the DCNF. “Officers protect students, employees, visitors, and property, and take a proactive approach to crime prevention, education, and community engagement.”
Campus police even voiced concerns years prior to the horrific event, insisting the police force was understaffed for UVU’s 46,000 student body. On the day of the shooting, only six officers were present.
Kirk, who was known for starting dialogue with leftist students on college campuses to discuss controversial topics and find common ground, was killed in the middle of a conversation with students in front of a crowd of about 3,000.
In recent months, universities across the country have been flooded with false reports of armed individuals on campus, resulting in mass panic and wasted police resources. In some cases, schools have increased security, after staff have faced backlash for allegedly mocking Kirk’s death.
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