PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

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SLCPD Provides Mutual Aid to University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety During Unlawful Assembly

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies, provided mutual aid as the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety dispersed an unlawful assembly on the University of Utah’s campus.

“Overnight, our officers faced a prolonged, difficult, and dangerous situation,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. “I am very proud of the professionalism and dedication of our officers. Their training, experience, and capability of safely and effectively handling these cases is another example of our commitment to our community and overall public safety.”

On Monday, April 29, 2024, the Salt Lake City Police Department responded to the University of Utah at the request of the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety to help manage a growing demonstration in Presidents Circle.

Based on preliminary information provided to the Salt Lake City Police Department, several demonstrators set up tents, fortified those structures, and made statements about refusing to leave. According to University of Utah policy, no overnight camping is allowed on campus without the permission of the University’s administration.

The University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety gave multiple warnings, time, and opportunity for people to leave the area voluntarily.

At approximately 10:52 p.m., on Monday April 29, 2024, the incident commander for the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety declared the assembly unlawful and warned people remaining would be subject to arrest.

Several of the criminal actors threw water bottles, rocks, and metal cans at officers. Others had make-shift weapons. One officer assigned to the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety received a minor injury.

A Salt Lake City Police officer had a thrown water bottle hit his helmet during the incident. Fortunately, the officer was not injured.

Because of the volatility of this situation, the Salt Lake City Police Department adjusted its operations to help ensure the city remained protected, additional resources were mobilized, and that the department could continue responding to calls for service.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is aware of 17 arrests associated to this incident.

The University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety is the lead agency for the release of information on this incident.

The University has posted information on its public safety blog.

The Salt Lake City Police Department acknowledges and appreciates the other law enforcement agencies who assisted in this situation, including the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

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