An investigation found that UMass Dartmouth covered up allegations that a former campus police officer, David Laudon, sexually assaulted and harassed a student, allowing the officer to quietly resign and go on to work for another police department.
across the state who landed jobs with other departments after being fired or forced to resign. Laudon left the UMass Dartmouth police in 2010.
Laudon resigned after one of the students complained to police that he harassed and assaulted her. But the Blackstone report said it found no evidence that UMass Dartmouth ever launched a criminal investigation or referred the allegations against Laudon to the Bristol County district attorney for further review.
In addition, the report alleged UMass Dartmouth covered up the allegations by agreeing to provide Laudon with a neutral recommendation to future employers when he resigned. In a written statement, UMass Dartmouth communications director Ryan Merrill called the report “inaccurate, misleading, and incomplete.”
He said the school did not share any of Laudon’s employment records at the time, despite his repeated requests. UMass Dartmouth said it has no record of such requests from Blackstone and would have provided the records with the employee’s permission. “UMD officials have continued to this day to stonewall and cover up Officer Laudon’s misconduct," the report said. In an interview, lead investigator Parker said the findings “really question the decisions of UMass Dartmouth and the competency of UMass Dartmouth leadership.”Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission
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