The University of Utah Police Department (UUPD) and Housing & Dining Programs serve our community in many ways, including providing students with easy access to a police officer posted at Kahlert Village, the most populated residence on campus, with over 1,400 first-year students.

The Residence Life Resource Officer (RLO) attends community programs and Housing events, providing a visible presence that translates into more resources for students, helping them navigate the ins and outs of living in a higher education setting.

We asked Officer Harmon a few questions so residents, their families, and the campus community know more about this role. 

What is the difference between a patrol officer and the Residence Life Resource officer?

Regular patrol officers have a broad range of responsibilities. They will come in, and they have a radio, and you go wherever the radio tells you to go. As the resident life officer, I will still do that to an extent, but I will be more specific. I will be in Kahlert Village, and my focus will be on this community, working with our partners at Housing & Dining Programs. My primary focus will be to work with residents and visitors, building relationships with them and the staff.

Why is it important to have this role in Kahlert Village?

Policing works best when police officers have a good and trusting relationship with the people that they serve. The U is amazing in all the resources that they provide, and we are committed to safety; this program shows that commitment. Being here in Kahlert Village will allow me to expand and strengthen the relationship that the police department already has with the students, as well as with our university partners.

What would you say to those students, faculty, or staff who might not have had the best experience with a police force in the past?

I’m dedicated to this community, and I will be here to work and build that trust bridge that is needed in any relationship, so that students and staff have immediate access to a police officer as a resource. It is essential for me to make contact with those people and say hi and make sure that they know that I’m there to help them and to serve them; they can reach out to me and come to me with any problems that they have; they shouldn’t have any hesitation in contacting me or approaching me. 

What do you find most rewarding about being a police officer?

I first started with the Provo police department in 2008, so I’ve been a police officer for 17 years. There are lots of things that are rewarding about being a police officer. When I was in my previous career, I felt I wanted to make a difference. I had some friends who did policing, and that got me into it. I believe it is a great way to serve my community and make people safe. I’m passionate about it.

How can a student reach out to you?

For emergencies, always call 911. The best way to reach me is to call our dispatch: 8015-585-2677 and ask to speak with Officer Harmon. In person, my office is located on the first floor of Kahlert Village, and students can come at any time during the day. I also have an inbox outside the office where students can leave messages. But I will be wandering around the residence hall, talking to people, trying to get to know everybody, and making sure everything’s okay. I will do foot patrols and work with partners and students if they need a safety presentation or any other assistance from our police department.

What do you want students to know about you?

I have a family—three kids, and that’s my main thing, and my passion. I love being a dad. I also love to snowboard, Jiu-Jitsu, Legos (some of them in my office), and I ride motorcycles. I do motocross as well; I’m not good at it, but I do it! But most importantly, I want students to know that I’m here as a help and as a resource. If they have a question about a parking ticket, maybe they just don’t know what to do or how to handle it, or if perhaps a person has been a victim of a serious crime; they can come and talk to me about it and I can help them through those things, whatever the problems are, and I will go at their pace.

Police officers’ availability varies. If a student, faculty, staff, or visitor needs to contact the University of Utah Police Department (UUPD), do not wait to get ahold of a specific person and call the 24/7 Communications Center at 801-585-2677.
–For emergencies, always call 911.