Washington State University Police sergeant resigns

PULLMAN — Washington State University Police Sergeant, Matt Kuhrt who engaged in sexual activity while on duty, resigned Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Reports say a university investigation of former WSU Police Sgt. Matt Kuhrt show he disobeyed WSU policies regarding sexual harassment, improperly used university resources, and violated the department’s policy manual.

Reports say investigations uncovered that the sergeant had engaged in predatory grooming behavior while in a supervisory role, made sexually explicit comments to coworkers, subjected coworkers to nonconsensual physical contact, and engaged in sexual activities while on duty on university property.

Kuhrt is the fourth member of the campus police force to leave the department in connection with the disciplinary case. In August,

All three members of the department’s command staff retired from WSU in August before they could be disciplined for their mishandling of claims involving the sergeant when the allegations first surfaced in December 2020.

The Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission, which oversees the licensing of law enforcement officers statewide, has been notified by the university of the findings related to the four officers.

In August a new command staff was installed at the WSU Pullman Police Department, led by former City of Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins and aided by Assistant Chief Dawn Daniels.

“Under Jenkin’s and Daniels leadership, we’re seeing a renewed commitment throughout the department to professionalism and strong efforts to improve and rebuild community trust,” said WSU President Kirk Schulz. “I want to thank the members of the WSU Pullman Police Department for working together to help ensure the safety and security of the pullman campus.”

A concerned member of the campus police force had contacted the university leaders, who had been unaware of the December 2020 allegations involving the sergeant until March 2022.

An internal investigation was conducted by the prior police command staff in 2020 when the allegations first surfaced, reports say. The command staff failed to provide required notification of the allegations, the internal investigation, or the outcome to university leaders or Human Resource Services.

WSU’s Human Resource Services department and the university’s Office of Compliance and Civil Rights initiated full investigations in March 2022, reports say.