U of U police criticized for awards ceremony

University of Utah police are responding to backlash after they held an awards ceremony praising officers for their handling of the Lauren McCluskey case.

Police spokesman Dan Metcalf said the intent was to honor people who do their jobs well.

Lauren's parents don't think that they did.

This week Lauren's father, Matt McCluskey, said the ceremony showed a lack of accountability.

An independent probe last year revealed officers never did a background check on Melvin Rowland, and ignored calls from Lauren and her mother.

Rowland killed Lauren last October.