Eagle Mountain Mayor Brian Olsen has resigned from the Utah Highway Patrol after lying about having a master's degree and wearing a ribbon on his patrol uniform signifying the unearned accomplishment.

Olsen resigned from his job as a trooper, from which he'd taken a leave of absence to be a full-time mayor, nearly two weeks ago. In his resignation letter, he cited the desire to focus on his "mayoralship." A state trooper -- even one on leave -- is required to have 40 hours of training a year.

According to UHP spokesman Lt. Doug McCleve, the ribbon Olsen wore was one of 33 ribbons a UHP trooper can earn the right to wear. The agency was doing an internal investigation of Olsen after he admitted to lying about having a master's of public administration.

"He resigned in the process, but we were pretty much done," McCleve said of the review. "We did determine he did use that information internally, he represented to the Highway Patrol that he had a master's degree as well. ... Everybody here thought he did, which by the way may create some big issues for us."

Those issues, McCleve said, are credibility, honesty and integrity.

"If we testify in a court of law, honesty and integrity is of the utmost importance and not just in court, everything that we do every day," he said. "Credibility to a trooper's career is probably one of the most important things that we do."

He said Olsen's deception is not a reflection on the Utah Highway Patrol, but a reflection of an individual's choices.

Olsen did say wearing the honorary ribbon was a mistake he should not have made. As a trooper, those who earn the ribbons must submit correct documentation to qualify. There are ribbons for several skills and the education category includes ribbons for an associate degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree.

Olsen said he submitted documentation from a state-sponsored public management program in 2003, which he initially believed would give him credit toward a master's degree. He completed approximately 300-400 hours or 9-10 credit hours taking three courses through the state program.

"When they sent me the pin, it was in my box one day, I shouldn't have put it on," he said. "I should have looked into it further. At the time that I received the ribbon I thought that my course work upon completion would transfer over to a master program."

Olsen said the courses provided good training for his administrative position as full-time mayor.

"I do believe it is helping me in my service as mayor," he said. He has drawn from his motivation and conflict resolution studies in particular, he said, to use while working with city staff. Olsen said he could easily see himself going back to school again.

The City Council -- with one exception -- said it would continue to support Olsen, although with caution. Councilman Vincent Liddiard said he thought the mayor should resign.

"I'm not being vindictive. I'm not mad at Brian; I'm very disappointed and I think the only way for the city to recover is for him to step down," Liddiard said. "I'm willing to work with whoever sits on the council. I'm willing to move forward."

Disappointment, sadness and embarrassment are some of the words council members used to describe the situation.

"I won't just be taking something that the mayor says as absolutely true, I will be checking it as well," Councilwoman Heather Jackson said.

While disappointed, she said Olsen has her full confidence in being able to conduct city affairs.

Olsen is the second Eagle Mountain mayor to have been caught lying. The first was in 2003 when former Mayor Kelvin Bailey told his wife he had been abducted. In reality, he had driven out of state when he was supposed to have been at a budget retreat with the City Council.

"I sincerely hope that that is not the general or major trend," Councilman David Blackburn said of Eagle Mountain's record.

"As elected officials, we should be a literal representation of the best of our community, not the opposite. Sadly, we have had the worst and poorer actions receive the most press. All of our officials and staff usually put in great work and efforts for the betterment of our community."

With his council's support, Olsen said he intends to stay.

"I am committed in serving Eagle Mountain city as their mayor," Olsen said. "I'm showing the citizens that I'm not going to fall back on the patrol as a scapegoat for a job when I'm completed."

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.