PULLMAN, Wash. – The leadership of Washington State University’s police force will step down over their handling of a case involving an officer accused of sexual misconduct.
The university says in a news release that Campus Police Chief Bill Gardner, his assistant chief and a lieutenant, have all announced that they will retire rather than face possible termination.
The case involves WSU Police Sgt. Matt Kuhrt, who is accused of having sex with a person while on duty in 2020.
Incidents are alleged to have occurred in the presidential suite at Martin Stadium and at the WSU Observatory.
The campus police department launched an internal investigation and didn’t take any substantial action against the officer.
The department violated university policy by not informing the office of Compliance and Civil Rights, which didn’t find out about the allegations until this past March.
Retired City of Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins has agreed to serve as interim WSU Chief.