The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District suspended its police department effective Friday as the district continues to investigate problems relating to school safety operations.
UCISD Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Anne Marie Espinoza said in a press release that Lt. Miguel Hernandez and Ken Mueller have been placed on administrative leave, and the department as a whole will be suspended for “a period of time.”
Officers currently employed will fill other roles in the district, Espinoza said, and Mueller has “elected to retire.”
UVALDE SCHOOL DISTRICT FIRES EX-TROOPER UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR MAY SHOOTING RESPONSE
“Decisions concerning the UCISD police department have been pending the results of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and JPPI investigation,” Espinoza said. “Recent developments have uncovered additional concerns with department operations.”
This suspension comes a day after the district fired Crimson Elizondo, a former Texas Department of Public Safety state trooper, over her comments regarding the May 24 shooting. Her comments, captured on audio, were “not consistent” with the school’s expectations, Espinoza said.
The school district is working with the Texas Police Chiefs Association, which is conducting a management and organizational review of the school police department, and a report is expected later in October.
JPPI Investigations, a private firm, is also conducting an investigation into UCISD police officers for their response to the May shooting that killed 21 people, including 19 elementary school students.
“Results of the investigation will inform future personnel decisions,” Espinoza said. “The District has requested the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide additional troopers for campus and extra-curricular activities.”
Elizondo is one of seven DPS personnel under investigation. She resigned from DPS, preventing any internal discipline or penalties.
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DPS said on Thursday that it sent a memo to the Uvalde school district on July 28 alerting officials to its investigation of Elizondo.
