A University of New Mexico (UNM) campus security officer has admitted to vandalizing Gay Pride flags on the campus. After confessing to vandalizing the flags over two years before they were finally caught on a campus RING camera, the officer resigned from their post. Despite the officer's resignation, the case raises questions about whether security staff at America's universities receive adequate bias training. This is an increasingly pressing question as campuses continue to diversify.

Are you a college or university student facing student discipline after being apprehended or charged by campus security? A suspension from your university could delay your academic progress and negatively impact your future employment prospects. However, campus security is not infallible, and they make mistakes. You have the right to defend yourself in student disciplinary matters. Call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today.

Vandalism Threats Not Taken Seriously

University of New Mexico student Ben Gerstner and his friends decided to post Gay Pride flags outside the school's biology building as an effort to shed light on homophobia and anti-LGBTQ bigotry. However, an anonymous vandal began targeting the flags almost immediately after Gerstner and his friends posted them. The flags were frequently torn down, and the culprits ratcheted up their cruelty by writing insults like “pedo” and “AIDS-spreader” on them.

Gerstner said every flag he put up was torn down the next day for almost a year. In one incident, someone replaced his Gay Pride flag with an American Flag. However, the vandalism took a more disturbing and threatening turn. The perpetrator vandalized a sign on Gerstner's door by writing homophobic insults on it. Gerstner hired an attorney, and they took their concerns to UNM administration by filing a complaint.

A Surprising Perpetrator and a Lawsuit

Three months after Gerstner's complaint, the perpetrator was caught on a RING camera set up by the University. Much to everyone's surprise, the RING camera footage revealed a masked man wearing UNM Security's distinctive red jacket attempting to cover the camera lens. Another Gay Pride posted by Gerstner was taken down on the same day the camera was tampered with.

The UNM administration questioned all the security guards who worked on the day of the incident, and one eventually confessed. The security guard resigned without having any charges filed against him by the University. Gerstner and his attorney filed a suit against the University, alleging the administration failed to protect him from one of their employees or create an environment free of bias.

Protect Yourself from Bias by Campus Police and Security Staff

The incident at UNM was part of a growing trend of bias and prejudice against the LGBTQ community, but it reveals an even more unsettling truth. Although university police and security are ostensibly employed to protect you, they are just as prone to bias as members of the general public. This could lead to you being unfairly targeted by campus security or accused of infractions that could lead to campus discipline.

Being suspended or expelled from your university is no laughing matter. It's part of your academic record and will follow you into adulthood. However, only you can assert your right to a fair and impartial disciplinary process. Call the Lento Law Firm Student Discipline Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today! You deserve the benefit of experienced, capable legal counsel in any student disciplinary matter. That's exactly what our team gives you!