SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) has made public body-worn camera footage related to an August 2024 death investigation, during which several officers were found to have acted unprofessionally.
The incident occurred on August 8 when officers responded to reports of a deceased individual inside a tent near Brooklyn Street and Washington Avenue. Upon arrival, authorities identified the man as 47-year-old Jason Lloyd and began investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. The case was classified as an unattended and non-suspicious death, with an autopsy later confirming it was accidental.
Allegations of Misconduct and Investigation Findings
Concerns about officer conduct during the response led to an external investigation by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, which concluded there was no basis for criminal charges. However, an internal SLCPD review uncovered troubling actions taken by officers at the scene.
One of the most concerning findings involved an officer-in-training (OIT) who was given a utility knife by a contractor from the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME). The contractor reportedly directed the officer to use the knife to pop blisters on Lloyd’s right arm, which the OIT proceeded to do.
Under Utah law, the medical examiner has jurisdiction over an unattended death, and only authorized individuals may handle a deceased body under specific conditions. SLCPD’s investigation found that the OIT reasonably believed his actions were sanctioned due to:
- Approval from OME personnel.
- Instructions from his Field Training Officer (FTO) and other officers to assist.
- His status as a new officer with limited experience.
- The absence of objections from any SLCPD employees, OME staff, or contractors present.
Adding to the controversy, SLCPD discovered that the officer-in-training’s field training officer later instructed him to omit any mention of the blister-popping from his official report. This directive was confirmed during the internal investigation.
SLCPD’s Response and Disciplinary Actions
In a public statement, SLCPD Chief Mike Brown condemned the behavior of the officers involved.
“Our investigation found that some of the conduct in this case was unprofessional, discourteous, disrespectful, and offensive. This behavior does not align with the professionalism and integrity we demand as a police department,” Brown stated. “Every person we encounter deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our decorum during death investigations must never again fall short of our core values.”
Despite no criminal charges being filed, SLCPD determined that four officers violated department policies, including standards related to conduct, reporting procedures, the field training officer program, and death investigations. The disciplinary measures imposed ranged from formal warnings to unpaid suspensions.
Of the seven employees placed on administrative leave, all but one have returned to work. The primary field training officer resigned before disciplinary action was finalized. Three officers were cleared of any wrongdoing.
Chief Brown acknowledged SLCPD personnel who came forward with concerns about the incident, emphasizing the importance of accountability within the department.
The full bodycam footage of the investigation has been released to the public. Viewer discretion is advised .
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