Uvalde school district suspends entire police force, superintendent to retire amid fallout from shooting
The district has faced withering criticism over its police department’s actions.Jenny Wagnon Courts, Ismael Estrada, Josh Margolin, and Emily ShapiroThe Uvalde, Texas, school district -- still facing withering criticism over its police department's failings both during the May 24 elementary school massacre and since -- announced the suspension of the entire district police force on Friday.
Hours later, Uvalde school district Superintendent Hal Harrell announced he would be retiring. There was no timeframe given for Harrell's retirement, but the transition will be discussed in a closed session of the school board on Monday.
The district said it's requested more Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to be stationed on campuses and at extracurricular activities amid the police department suspension, adding, "We are confident that staff and student safety will not be compromised during this transition."
The length of the school district police suspension is not clear.
Lt. Miguel Hernandez, who was tasked with leading the department in the fallout from the shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers, and Ken Mueller, the UCISD's director of student services, were placed on administrative leave.
Hernandez acknowledged in a law enforcement communication in August that he'd received formal notification from DPS that an officer applying to Uvalde's school police force was under investigation for her response at Robb Elementary.
Mueller has elected to retire, according to the school district.
"Officers currently employed will fill other roles in the district," the school district said. According to the district's website, that includes four officers and one security guard.
Victims' families, led by Brett Cross, guardian of 10-year-old victim Uziyah Garcia, had been holding a round-the-clock vigil outside the school district headquarters calling for change. The families are now ....
https://abcnews.go.com/US/uvalde-school ... d=91172897A couple of observations:
The school district has it's own police department??
Note that they're suspended, not fired. And the length of the suspension has not been determined.