Former officer speaks out about ‘inappropriate sexual comments’
Interim Chief Mark LaHue is on an approved leave of absence according to Leslie Berger, senior director of university communications.
The absence follows allegations made by a campus police officer against LaHue accusing him of making homophobic and sexually inappropriate comments.
Student Publications first reported the inappropriate statements by LaHue in the Oct. 2 issue of The Campus.
The officer filed a formal discrimination complaint with Human Resources on Sept. 26 against LaHue, said Steven Vincent, former campus police officer.
Vincent said the officer, who identifies as openly gay, told him he was in the campus police department a few weeks ago when LaHue made an inappropriate sexual comment to him.
Berger could not confirm if LaHue’s leave of absence is in connection with the allegations against him.
LaHue was named interim police chief Sept. 14 after former campus police chief Rusty Pyle and Lieutenant Michael Kavenius resigned Sept. 11.S
Campus police officer Becca Ford is currently serving as the on-call supervisor, Berger said.
Vance Klassen, music theater junior, said it is becoming exhausting to keep up with all the issues in OCUPD.
“I guess I just don’t understand why people in positions of power can’t take that responsibility with professionalism and common human decency,” Klassen said.
Klassen said he is frustrated by the disparity between the mission of campus police and a few people’s actions.
“It’s extremely disappointing that those who set out to protect and serve the students and faculty of OCU are the same ones that continue to act inappropriately to others,” he said.
Campus police needs to change for the future, Klassen said.
“I would love to see OCUPD restructure the staff in order to eliminate the politics behind decision making and recenter the focus on serving the community and not act out of self-interest,” he said.
Sierra Paul, theatre and performance/education senior, said she is frustrated by some of the people university officials have chosen to hire in campus police.
“As a third generation OCU legacy, it disheartens me that our standards have sunk so low,” Paul said. “I grew up hearing about OCU as a place that was diverse and safe, and now I hesitate to say so, to put it simply.”
Campus police should represent the students they protect, Paul said.
“I think we should completely start over and have the rehiring people be the members of the diversity committee and multicultural student organizations.”
Vincent sent a statement to Student Publications addressing LaHue’s absence and the future of campus police.
“I appreciate the university taking quick and decisive action against Acting Chief LaHue in the face of multiple allegations of grossly inappropriate sexual comments and blatantly homophobic statements attributed to him by several witnesses. My fear is that university administration officials will use recent controversial acts committed by police supervisors as an excuse to eliminate the police department entirely. My hope is that President Burger will hire someone who can restore trust and faith in the OCU Police Department, someone who will build bridges to university communities and individuals who have been discriminated against, made to feel unwelcome or diminished by the antiquated bigotry of those who are sworn to protect and serve.”
Mark LaHue illegally detained (arrested) someone for exercising a constitutionally protected activity. He’s a tyrant.