Uvalde, Texas – The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) announced on Friday that it has suspended its entire police department.
Since the Robb Elementary School mass shooting, the department has been facing heavy criticism over its response to the May 28 massacre in which 19 students and two teachers were killed and another 18 people were injured.
It’s not clear how long the suspension will last.
Uvalde CISD released the following statement about the decision:
“The District remains committed to resolving issues with verifiable evidence. Decisions concerning the UCISD police department have been pending the results of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and JPPI investigation. Recent developments have uncovered additional concerns with department operations.
“As a result of the recent developments, Lt. Miguel Hernandez and Ken Mueller have been placed on administrative leave, and the District has made the decision to suspend all activities of the Uvalde CISD Police Department for a period of time. Officers currently employed will fill other roles in the district. Ken Mueller has elected to retire.
“The District will continue to engage with the Texas Police Chiefs Association who is conducting a Management and Organizational Review. The results of this review will guide the rebuilding of the department and the hiring of a new Chief of Police. We expect to have a report later this month. Also, as previously stated, JPPI is conducting an investigation into the UCISD police officers’ response to the May 24, 2022 tragedy. Results of the investigation will inform future personnel decisions.
“The District has requested the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide additional troopers for campus and extra-curricular activities. We are confident that staff and student safety will not be compromised during this transition.
“This is all the information we have at this time. We will provide update(s) as information becomes available to us.”
In August, UCISD’s board of trustees fired the department’s police chief, Pete Arredondo.