Uvalde Suspends Its Entire School Police Force

HOUSTON — The varsity district in Uvalde, Texas, mentioned on Friday that it had suspended the operations of its Police Division amid ongoing questions on its officers’ response to the Might 24 mass taking pictures at Robb Elementary College and a sustained protest by victims’ mother and father.

The district had beforehand fired the chief of the division, Pete Arredondo, who state officers have mentioned was the incident commander through the taking pictures and bore accountability for delaying a confrontation with the gunman for over an hour after the taking pictures started. The gunman killed 19 youngsters and two lecturers.

On Friday, the varsity district mentioned in a press release that it had positioned the officer who took over for Mr. Arredondo, Lt. Miguel Hernandez, and one other district worker, Ken Mueller, on administrative depart. Mr. Mueller, the director of scholar providers, had determined to retire, the assertion mentioned.

“Latest developments have uncovered extra considerations with division operations,” the district mentioned in explaining its determination.

The assertion didn’t element what these developments have been, however the transfer comes amid a long-running protest on the district workplaces by a number of family of the victims who at instances blocked employees from entering.

Brett Cross, who camped out exterior the workplaces for 9 nights, went dwelling on Friday, saying that he and the opposite households noticed the district’s determination as a direct results of their efforts.

“It shouldn’t have needed to final this lengthy,” mentioned Mr. Cross, who raised his nephew, Uziyah Garcia, 10, like a son till the day he was killed on the faculty. “It’s our first win, however it gained’t be the final.”

The suspension of the Police Division — which consisted of 5 officers, together with Lieutenant Hernandez, and a safety guard, in response to its web site — additionally adopted revelations by CNN that the varsity district over the summer season had employed a brand new officer, beforehand employed by the Texas Division of Public Security, who had been amongst these first on the scene at Robb Elementary however didn’t transfer to confront the gunman. The district fired the officer, Crimson Elizondo, shortly after the report on Thursday.

In its assertion, the district mentioned it has requested for added officers from the Texas Division of Public Security to supply safety for its faculties.