After audio circulated last week of Timpview’s School Resource Officer (SRO), Mike Bastian, allegedly saying a racial slur, the officer has been reassigned and is no longer on staff at Timpview High School. The video, which has spread through the school, allegedly contains Officer Bastian using a phrase after being asked by a student to tell him the details of a specific racial slur. It is speculated that the video, and its repercussions, could be the reason that the SRO was removed from the school’s faculty.

Bastian, who worked as the SRO and the Law Enforcement teacher, and a member of the Provo City Police Department, has retained his position as a police officer with the city. Bastian has served as a Sergeant, worked as a private investigator, SWAT member, police instructor, and more.

Assistant principal Thomas Fell would only confirm that Bastian had a “change of assignment” and that Fell, as a member of the Timpview Administration, is not “legally allowed to talk about [Timpview’s] personnel.”

The circulation of the video which does not show Officer Bastian, but is believed to be his voice, has fueled rumors and been felt throughout the community. Junior Evealla Banya commented, “In a time where minorities are still facing oppression and prejudice, people should know better than to use any racial slurs for any reason.”

The change to personnel has been noted by students and staff alike with the presence of a new Student Resource Officer at the school.

The comment in the video was extremely offensive to many, and the deliberate declaration of the word, is nothing to take simply. If the allegation is true the reassignment was an appropriate response to the alleged incident.

As of February 11, there has been no official statement or additional information released about the situation.