Utah university where Charlie Kirk was killed is expanding its police force

Utah Valley University, the site where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot, is taking steps to beef up its campus security following widespread criticism over insufficient safety measures on the day of the tragic incident. The university is currently in the process of hiring eight new campus police officers along with two safety managers who will be responsible for coordinating security at future campus events, according to university spokesperson Ellen Treanor. Kirk was shot from a rooftop on campus during a debate in an outdoor courtyard, an area surrounded by multiple tall buildings, which highlighted vulnerabilities in existing security protocols. An in-depth review by the Associated Press revealed that the university’s campus security failed to implement several standard safety practices that have become common in similar events nationwide. Campus police did not deploy drones to monitor rooftops as a precaution, nor did they coordinate adequately with local law enforcement to secure the event, which drew around 3,000 attendees. There were no bag checks or metal detectors in place, and multiple students who purchased tickets reported they were never screened before entering. At the time of the shooting, only six campus officers were assigned to the event, despite Kirk having a private security detail of eight personnel. Utah Valley University currently employs 23 police officers, equating to one officer for every 1,400 students on campus, based on a 2024 university report. The planned increase to just over 30 officers still places the university well below the recommended ratio for large public schools across the U.S. A 2024 Department of Justice study suggests that the average public university maintains about one officer for every 500 students — a standard advocated by campus safety experts. To meet this benchmark, Utah Valley would need at least 64 officers for its approximate student body of 32,000. Despite plans to expand the police force, the university’s policing budget for the new fiscal year beginning October 1 stands at $2.1 million, a slight decrease from its $2.2 million operating budget during the time of the shooting, according to public records obtained by the AP. When asked about how the university intends to finance the additional hires, spokesperson Treanor did not provide an immediate response. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection to Charlie Kirk’s killing and is currently awaiting trial. The university’s actions to increase campus security come amid ongoing concerns about event safety and law enforcement presence on college campuses nationwide. These developments are closely watched as institutions reassess security protocols in the wake of high-profile campus violence incidents.