Matt Kuhrt officially submitted his resignation from the WSU Police Department on Nov. 1.

The resignation comes after an investigation into Kuhrt following allegations of workplace misconduct and Title IX violations. 

It was an investigation that was brought up due to WSU PD staff coming forward with the allegations, something that Gary Jenkins, interim chief of police said was a common misconception about the case.

The investigation concluded that Kuhrt 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 and on university property, according to WSU Insider.

Kuhrt has been on leave since August, pending the investigation and WSU PD has been planning action, Jenkins said.

“We’ve seen the investigation, regardless of the results we’ll be taking action,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said in August that they already have a plan of action.

When the allegations were first brought forward, three members of the command staff retired and Kuhrt’s resignation makes him the fourth member of the police department to leave due to the allegations, according to WSU Insider.

The three previous retirements came after the three individuals were served notice of potential disciplinary actions based on their failure to properly advise university leadership of Kuhrt’s conduct in 2020.

The next steps for the department are to work to regain trust in the community, Jenkins said.

“We know that what has occurred has negatively affected our relationship with the community we work with. We are working to up our social media presence and to become more engaged with the community through outreach events and individual meetings with staff and students,” Jenkins said.

WSU President Kirk Schulz is also looking to the future and is hoping that trust can be regained with Jenkins and his staff in the department.

“Under Jenkins’s and Daniel’s leadership, we’re seeing a renewed commitment throughout the department to professionalism and strong efforts to improve and rebuild community trust,” Schulz said.