Former University of Utah police chief accepts new position

SALT LAKE CITY — The former University of Utah police chief has accepted a lead campus safety position with Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Rodney Chatman will direct Brown’s Department of Public Safety and oversee campus-wide safety efforts, according to a statement.

Chatman had only been in his position with the U since February 2020, but has had a turbulent time since taking the job. So turbulent that he’s suing the school for $10 million. 

The former University of Utah police chief was accused of conducting official police business before obtaining the proper certifications from the state of Utah. Chatman was placed on administrative leave in December 2020 and has remained sidelined since. However, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office declined to pursue any charges against Chatman. 

Brown University acknowledged the controversy in its announcement of Chatman’s appointment. 

“Given the unfortunate nature of an allegation that proved to be unfounded, Chief Chatman proactively raised this topic in the Brown interview process, was fully forthcoming with the search committee and has been cleared across the board by the district attorney in Utah,” the statement read. 

Chatman also claims to have been the scapegoat for trying to implement reforms in the wake of student-athlete Lauren McCluskey’s murder on the U. campus in 2018. 

Jason Hinojoso, serving as the University’s acting chief of police, will stay in that position while the university conducts a national search for a chief safety officer as well as police chief. Hinojoso has been the acting police chief for the U. of U. since December 2020.

Rodney Chatman will assume his new role with Brown University on Sept. 1, 2021. 

Contributing: Simone Seikaly