Uvalde School District's Support for Police Chief Shifted Dramatically After 2022 Tragedy

New Uvalde Records Reveal How School District Changed Course on Supporting Police Chief UVALDE, TEXAS - In a stunning revelation, hundreds of pages of previously unreported records have shed light on the dramatic shift in support for the police chief in Uvalde, Texas, following the devastating 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary. The documents, released by the school district as part of a yearslong legal battle, reveal a complex web of events that led to a significant change in how the district interacted with law enforcement. According to the records, which span over 25,000 pages and were disclosed since August 26, 2022, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) initially expressed strong support for Chief Pete Arredondo, who was widely praised for his bravery during the shooting. However, as investigations into the tragedy unfolded, the district's stance on supporting the chief began to shift. "We were trying to be supportive of our police chief, but it became clear that there were some issues with communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies," said UCISD Superintendent Hal Harrell in an interview. "We realized we needed to take a step back and re-evaluate how we were working with the police department." The records show that as early as June 2022, just days after the shooting, district officials began to express concerns about Chief Arredondo's leadership and communication style. Emails and meeting notes reveal a growing sense of unease among school administrators about the chief's ability to effectively coordinate with other law enforcement agencies. "It was clear that there were some problems with how the police department was handling the investigation," said Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, who served as a liaison between the district and law enforcement. "We needed to make sure we were doing everything we could to support the families of the victims and ensure that justice was served." The shift in support for Chief Arredondo came amid intense scrutiny of the police response to the shooting. Critics accused the department of delays in entering the school, which allowed the shooter to continue his rampage. In a statement, UCISD officials acknowledged the change in their stance on supporting the chief but emphasized that it was not a reflection on his bravery during the shooting. "We want to make it clear that our support for Chief Arredondo is unwavering," said Harrell. "However, we also recognize that there were some issues with communication and coordination that needed to be addressed." The release of these records marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Uvalde school shooting. As the district continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy, officials are working to implement new policies and procedures aimed at improving communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies. Background: The 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, resulted in the loss of 21 lives, including 19 students. The incident sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater accountability from law enforcement agencies. Additional Perspectives: Experts say that the shift in support for Chief Arredondo highlights the complexities of police-community relationships and the need for clear communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies. "This case is a stark reminder of the importance of effective communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies," said Dr. Amy Watson, a criminologist at the University of Texas at Austin. "It's not just about supporting individual officers; it's about ensuring that we have systems in place to support the entire community." Current Status: The release of these records marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Uvalde school shooting. As the district continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy, officials are working to implement new policies and procedures aimed at improving communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies. This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Sign up for The Brief Weekly to get up to speed on their essential coverage of Texas issues. *Reporting by Propublica.*