University police officers are trying to rebuild students' trustafter Officer Robert Duplain shot and killed fourth-year studentMichael McKinney, Director of Public Safety Gene Burton saidMonday.
"I have had several officers who have had gestures andinappropriate comments," Burton said.
UPD also faced negative views two years ago when the IndianaState Police investigated it for misusing resources.
The university removed Joe Wehner, then university police chief,shortly after the investigation. Burton replaced him.
Since then, UPD has worked to rebuild students' trust in theuniversity police, Burton said, and that trust was returning.
"Trust is something that's earned," Burton said. "It's notgranted. This incident will shake that level of trust."
Sophomore Angie Kraas said she has mixed emotions about trustingthe police again. She has a close friend who knew McKinney.
"I'm really up in the air about it," Kraas said. "I feel thatthe police officer reacted on an impulse. That frustrates me, but Istill feel they're here to protect students."
Sophomore Noah Ayers, however, said his opinion of UPD did notchange.
"I always thought they kind of harassed people," Ayers said. "Totell the truth, I didn't even know they carried guns."
Ayers said he is not more concerned about his safety than he wasbefore McKinney's death.
Junior Lori Lemasters said she worries that she and her friendscould be in danger on the weekends.
"It makes me really scared," Lemasters said. "A bunch of myfriends have done that -- just drinking and being drunk. Maybeunder certain circumstances it could happen to us."
But Dean of Students Randy Hyman said students have sent hime-mails showing their support for the police.
Hyman said he understands that, right now, that's not thepopular view, and he said he has heard about the reactions ofdisgruntled students as well.
"We'll likely observe more of that type of behavior," Hymansaid.
Junior Megan Bomholt said she was upset by the incident, but shestill thinks the police are on campus for students protection.
"This situation has made me look differently at the UPD,"Bomholt said. "Yet, I think UPD will do its part in making sure itdoesn't happen again, but if it's not dealt with properly, it'slikely that ... this could happen again."
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