USU chief of police leaves after just 7 months

USU Police Chief Blair Barfuss announced he is leaving the university this month. (Photo: Utah State)

LOGAN — Utah State University is again looking for a new chief of police. The school announced Friday morning, USU Police Chief Blair Barfuss will leave the university this month, citing recent family health issues. His last day will be Feb. 17, 2023.

Barfuss has been chief of USU Police for only seven months. He was hired in July 2022, replacing Earl Morris, who resigned in December 2021, as the school investigated comments he made about sexual assaults to the football team.

In a statement, Barfuss said, “I am sad to leave just as I began seeing significant positive changes made by everyone in our department. I cannot speak more highly of our officers, the university administration, staff, faculty, and our Aggie community. I love Utah State University, and I will greatly miss being here.”

Barfuss was hired by the university after a national search. Previously, he had served as chief of police and director of public safety at Utah Tech University (previously Dixie State University) for four years. He holds a master’s degree in human resources from the Huntsman School of Business at USU and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has more than 20 years of experience in public safety and service in Utah.

Mike Kuehn, executive director of USU’s public safety department said, “While Blair was only able to be at Utah State for a short time, his extensive experience and expertise have benefited all members of the USU community. He set us up for success, and we’ll be looking for many of the same qualities in the next person to fill this role. We wish him the best as he tends to the needs of his family.”

USU spokesperson Amanda DeRito said Captain Kent Harris will act as interim chief during a national search, which will begin in the coming weeks. Harris has more than 30 years of police experience and has been a member of the USU Police Department for the past 13 years. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from USU.


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