UTAH FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

2195 West 5400 South #B201

Taylorsville, Utah 84129
www.utahstatefop.com

May 31, 2020

Re: A Report for Mayor Mendenhall

Following the unlawful and dangerous riots in Salt Lake City yesterday, we are pleased to see the high
levels of public and political support from people around the valley for law enforcement. Officers from
across the valley responded to the call for assistance, leaving their families and communities to protect Salt
Lake. Whether on duty or off, these officers showed precisely how seriously they take their oaths of service,
no matter where the jurisdiction lines happen to be placed. The costs were not just of officers’ time. Officers
were struck in the face with rocks, attacked with bats, suffered broken bones, and received stitches at the
hospital. At least twenty-one officers are reported to have been injured, and many more did not report minor
injuries because they wanted to stay on the front-lines and help. The urge to help extended past rank, and
those on the front line included Sheriff Rosie Rivera, West Valley Police Chief Colleen Jacobs, and many
others. Leadership means showing up, and we see those who did. We especially appreciate the leadership
and vision of NAACP Utah President Jeanetta Williams, who has proven herself a trusted voice, and a
seeker of peace and solutions.

The leadership of these women makes the lack of concern and support from Salt Lake City’s Mayor
Mendenhall even more concerning. While more experienced mayors demonstrated their care and respect
for officers and their families, Mayor Mendenhall used her energy to go fishing for complaints about
officers. To be sure, those in the crowd chanting “The only good cop is a dead cop” can probably be relied
upon for complaints. The violent rioters who attacked not only officers but emergency medical personnel
and private citizens will, no doubt, be incensed that law enforcement still exists. Perhaps if Mayor
Mendenhall had deigned to make herself seen and available at the protests, rather than safely hidden behind
a Zoom call, she would have a different initial reaction. Maybe if Mayor Mendenhall had actually stood on
the street with officers, many of whom are not her employees but showed up to collect stitches instead of
paychecks on her behalf, she would be more concerned with the human costs than the political ones.

For our part, we stand with the vast majority of Utahns - those who did not recognize the state we love in
the hate that was shown yesterday. We will stand with officers who spent their weekend offering medical
aid and handing out water to protestors, protecting those who harbored no wish for violence and destruction.
They acted in constant faith with their duties, oaths, and profession. We see those officers and honor them.

On behalf of the Utah Fraternal Order of Police, its executive board, and its 4000 members,

________________________
Brent Jex, President
Fraternal Order of Police
Utah State Lodge

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