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Utah State University police chief resigns after controversial comments about LDS women, sexual assault

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Posted at 10:07 AM, Dec 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-12-16 12:22:35-05

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University police chief Earl Morris resigned Thursday after comments he made about LDS women and sexual assault came to light this week.

Morris's resignation comes a day after he was placed on administrative leave Wednesday.

In a meeting with Utah State University football players this fall, Earl Morris told them to make sure that if they have sex, that it's consensual — especially if it's with a Latter-day Saint woman.

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According to a report by The Salt Lake Tribune, Morris warned the team that LDS women will often tell their bishop that sex was non-consensual because it’s “easier.” They might be “feeling regret,” he continued, for having sex before marriage, which goes against the faith’s teachings of abstinence, so they’ll say it was assault.

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The university learned of Morris' comments earlier in the week.

Kent Harris has been named interim director and police chief. According to a university statement, Harris has more than 30 years of police experience and has been a member of the USU Police for the past 12 years. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from USU.