USU restructures USU Public Safety and announces new leadership

Editor’s note: This is a continuing story that will be updated as more information is released.

Utah State University has restructured the USU Department of Public Safety, creating a new leadership position and reporting structure.

The university announced today a new executive director position, which will oversee the three main areas of USU Public Safety — police, emergency management and fire. A new police chief, the director of emergency management and the fire marshal will directly report to the executive director.

Previously, the executive director and police chief were combined into one position.

Former leader of USU Public Safety Michael Kuehn will serve as the department’s executive director, effective on Feb. 7. Kuehn served as the police chief and executive director from February 2017 to April 2019.

Ellis Bruch, the former director of emergency management, will return to this position in mid-February.

“This is a critical restructuring that will help us ensure USU campuses are safe and welcoming environments for learning and working,” USU President Noelle E. Cockett said in a press release.

Cockett also said Kuehn will be essential in hiring the new police chief and addressing sexual violence on campus.