BYU appeals as state seeks to decertify school’s police

BYU appeals as state seeks to decertify school’s police

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Brigham Young University has vowed to fight to keep its police department, as the state plans to decertify the force.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports the private university on Friday filed a formal appeal with the Utah Department of Public Safety, calling the state’s efforts an “extreme and unprecedented action.”

The state Department of Public Safety announced last month that it wants to sanction BYU’s police department for several violations.

If BYU’s appeal is unsuccessful, the decertification would go into effect Sept. 1.

Attorneys for BYU argue that Public Safety Commissioner Jess Anderson overstepped his authority in seeking the decertification, and violated BYU’s rights to due process. They also say the state is treating the department differently than other agencies in Utah.

DPS officials confirmed Friday that the department received the appeal but declined to comment further.