Uvalde schools suspended its entire police force, citing 'recent developments' after months of criticism about how cops handled the mass shooting that left 19 children and 2 teachers dead

Rebecca Cohen,Natalie Musumeci
Updated ·2 min read
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  • Uvalde, Texas has fired its entire school district police force after months of criticism over the handling of the Robb Elementary School shooting.

  • The move comes as a "result of recent developments" as the Texas Police Chiefs Association and private investigators probe the police's actions during the shooting.

  • Two officers have also been placed on leave due to the "additional concerns." One of the officers has decided to retire.

Uvalde, Texas has suspended its entire school district police force after months of criticism for how cops handled the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.

The move comes as a "result of recent developments" as the Texas Police Chiefs Association and private investigators probe the police's actions during the shooting that left 21 people — including 19 children — dead.

Officers arrived on the scene of the mass shooting within minutes but the district's police chief delayed confronting the shooter for over an hour.

The Uvalde school district said two officers have also been placed on leave due to the "additional concerns" without elaborating further.

One of the officers has decided to retire.

Officers currently employed by the police force will "fill other roles in the district," The Uvalde school district said.

It added that the district will continue working with the Texas Police Chiefs Association while they conduct their investigation. The results of the investigation will also inform the force's rebuilding as well as hiring a new Chief of Police.

In the meantime, the Uvalde school district said they have asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to "provide additional troopers for campus and extra-curricular activities."

The news comes a day after it was reported a former Texas DPS officer who was under investigation for her conduct during the shooting was hired to the UCISD police force and then later fired after pushback from Uvalde parents.

Read the original article on Insider