BOARD
The UTASRO Board consists of law enforcement officers that are employed at their respective agencies
throughout the state of Utah. They come from different backgrounds, yet similar experience in their
profession.
With decades of training and experience, these officers are dedicated to the
protection, safety,
and wellbeing of youth in the community. They are there to serve, instruct, and assist in any of your needs.
President
Officer Chris Ruiz
Chris Ruiz is a Detective with the Pleasant Grove Police Department and is currently serving as the School Resource Officer. With over ten years of law enforcement experience, he has served in various capacities as a Deputy Sheriff, Patrol Officer, Traffic School Instructor, Investigator, CIT member, SRO, RAD Instructor, NOVA Instructor, just to name a few. He has a passion for making a connection with students, educators, parents, and the community. It's his belief that bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community is a win for everyone and promotes positivity, kindness, and support for the young people in the city.
Chris takes an active role in various school activities ranging from participation in the athletic
program and school clubs to DJ and music performer with the student body. He is the advisor of the
very
first Law Enforcement and Multicultural Clubs at the high school and works closely with the Latinos in
Action class. He is fluent in Spanish and applies his diverse and cultural knowledge as well as life
experience with students of ethnic backgrounds. He is always willing to learn and eager to apply his
knowledge to all with whom he comes in contact. Chris loves people and enjoys the opportunity to speak
about his job and the wonderful learning experiences that have come his way!
dom.ruiz88@gmail.com
1st Vice President
Officer Kelly Taylor
Officer Taylor has several years of experience in law enforcement and has worked in almost every capacity that it has to offer. He is currently assigned as an SRO for the Cottonwood Heights Police Department. Along with being an SRO, Officer Taylor teaches D.A.R.E. to fifth grade students at several elementary schools. He is also on the CHPD SWAT Team and the POU Team in the Salt Lake Valley.
With his involvement in the school setting Officer Taylor is trying to bring back the 'Officer
Friendly'
mentality to our young people, and help them realize that Officers do care. Officer Taylor is not only
excited to be a part of UTASRO and bring training opportunities to SRO's throughout the state;
regardless of experience and time as an Officer, but also training to the surrounding states to help
Officers develop skills to become a successful SRO, while maintaining Officer safety and Police
presence.
kctaylors@hotmail.com
2nd Vice President
Officer Brandon White
Officer Brandon White started his career in
corrections with The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s
Office in 1999. He also served as a Reserve Officer
with UPD. Throughout his career in corrections,
Officer White held many positions throughout the
Sheriff’s Office, to include Mental Health Deputy,
Administrative Security Deputy, Housing Deputy,
Booking/Processing Deputy and Ankle Monitor
Deputy.
Officer White retired from the Sherriff’s Office in
2019 but returned to Law Enforcement in 2020. He is
currently in his 4th year working for the Granite
School District Police Department.
He has held many assignments but loves serving as a
School Resource Officer with Granite PD the most
and has fully embraced the NASRO philosophy.
While working for Granite Police Department he has
worked special assignments, some of which include
SBI Undercover Violent Crimes and Narcotics, Salt
Lake County Metro Gang Unit. Officer White is
currently working as a Detective, Taser Instructor
and a Field Training Officer (FTO).
Officer White has received many awards over the
course of his Law Enforcement career. He was most
recently honored with the Distinguished Service
Award for his role in saving the life of a student in
Granite School District.
Officer White has been certified as a CIT Officer, Backgrounds Investigation Deputy and an Active Advanced law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Representative for the Jails Administrative Security Division. He has also received his certification for Basic and Advanced NASRO training.
Officer White is a proud Father of his five children. He enjoys time with his Wife Brittany, who is the Love of his Life, and his Family. He also enjoys Hunting Fishing and anything that involves the outdoors.
bswhite@graniteschools.org
Treasurer
Officer James Williams
James (Jim) Williams is an Ogden City Police Officer and School Resource Officer currently serving in the Jr. High School and Elementary School levels. Jim has seven years of law enforcement experience in Texas and Utah and has been an SRO in Ogden for three years. Jim is the Ogden City CIT Liasion as his Jr. High School has four Special Education Units, a Life Skills Unit for moderate to severely challenged students, and a Behavior Unit. Jim also serves as SRO at the OSD Behavior School known as Specialized Educational Services. Officer Williams views his role as a School Resource Officer as a calling and not just a job and has been able to positively impact many students who were on the fringe.
Officer Williams founded and created the curriculum for the Ogden Police Department Jr. Police Academy for students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. This program has morphed into an internship where Juniors and Seniors can receive high school credit for participating in this 40-hour/semester program. Officer Williams was honored with the OPD Medal of Merit for establishing and running this program which is now in its second school year. Jim is also active in speaking with several school clubs such as the Latinos In Action (LIA), Black Student Union, and various other clubs and school programs about bridging the gap between law enforcement and students who may have had negative police experiences. Officer Williams is active in several community outreach programs with Ogden Police Department and the Weber FOP such as Cops in the Park, Cops and Kids (formerly Shop with a Cop), and Coffee with a Cop. Jim loves the Ogden Community and also serves as the Safety Coordinator at his local church.
Jim has earned an Associates Degree(San Antonio College - TX), Batchelor's Degree (Siena Heights University - MI), Master's Degree Colorado Christian University - CO) in Criminal Justice and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate (University of the Cumberlands ) in Leadership with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. One interesting fact about Jim is he went to high school with Shaquille O'Neal (Cole High School - San Antonio, TX).
jameswilliams@ogdencity.com
williamsja@ogdensd.org
Secretary
Officer Rob Christensen
Rob is currently working as an SRO assigned to Jr. high schools in Orem. Rob has been in law enforcement for over 26 years. While working with the Orem Police Department, Rob has been assigned to patrol, traffic motor Officer, N.O.V.A., and investigations. Rob has also had various assignments with Orem, EVO instructor, Hostage Negotiations, Accident Reconstruction team, and Gang Unit. Rob is currently a NASRO Practitioner. Rob was a member of the Utah Fallen Officers memorial construction committee, serving as the Secretary.
rlchristensen@orem.gov
School Safety Liaison
Sergeant Jeremy Barnes
Sergeant Jeremy Barnes is the School Safety Liaison with the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Sergeant
Barnes has served on the law enforcement career for 16 years and had worked in a variety assignments
including patrol, investigations, DARE, and as a School Resource Officer. Sergeant Barnes earned his
Bachelors Degree in Emergency Services Management from Utah Valley University. Sergeant Barnes also
serves as a firefighter with the Montana Air National Guard. Sergeant Barnes enjoys spending time with
his wife and their two daughters.
jbarn0es@gmail.com
