Photo of an MSUPD squad car taken in 2017.
On Oct. 22, MSUPD Sgt. Mike Aguilera of Michigan State University’s Police Department was put on administrative leave.
Aguilera is the third high-ranking officer to be put on administrative leave following former MSUPD Capt. Valerie O’Brien and Deputy Chief Traci Ruiz.
Aguilera was a supervisor for Team Three of MSUPD’s Community Team Policing, overlooking East and River Trail Neighborhoods, according to a document from January 2020.
According to the MSUPD website, the community team policing initiative involves close interaction between officers and the MSU community.
In an email statement, however, MSUPD inspector Chris Rozman said Aguilera was not part of the community policing team.
“As this is a personnel matter, we are not able to provide any additional information,” Rozman said.
After being placed on leave, O’Brien plead guilty to operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content and carrying a concealed pistol, and resigned from MSUPD.
An investigation done by The State News revealed Ruiz, former deputy chief of the Community Engagement Bureau, told RAs during their August training, armed officers would make rounds with them.
It is unknown if Ruiz was allowed to reveal information regarding armed rounds to RAs. MSU spokesperson Dan Olsen said armed rounds have not and will not occur in residential halls.
Ruiz was put on administrative leave in early September, with no reason cited by the department. On Oct. 20, Rozman confirmed Ruiz is no longer an employee with MSUPD or the university.
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