FULL INTERVIEW: Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw on failed Uvalde shooting response

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw has been the face of the division, working to offer solutions to the Uvalde group within the wake of the Robb Elementary faculty shooting on May 24, which resulted within the deaths of 19 college students and two lecturers.

As the shooter barricaded himself inside a classroom with the victims, we all know officers waited within the hallway for greater than an hour earlier than getting access to the room to neutralize the menace.

McCraw joined Austin American-Statesman and KVUE Senior Reporter Tony Plohetski on Thursday to debate subjects reminiscent of regulation enforcement response, coverage adjustments and potential disciplinary actions as Uvalde households work to heal from the tragedy. 

Watch the complete interview right here:

Below is an edited transcription of Plohetski and McCraw’s dialogue:

Tony Plohetski: Obviously, loads has occurred over the previous 4 months. But I wish to begin by simply asking you, after we speak to the folks of Uvalde, they’re nonetheless so deeply hurting not solely from what occurred, but additionally from the regulation enforcement response. So I wish to provide the alternative to talk on to that group, to these households of these 19 kids and two lecturers. What phrases can you provide them as we speak? 

DPS Director McCraw: I’ll haven’t any phrases that adequately categorical the priority that now we have, or there’s nothing we are able to say to the dad and mom, I’ll be trustworthy with you. I imply, they’ve misplaced their family members, and people are harmless kids. They’ll by no means be right here once more. Their lives won’t ever be right here once more. And there isn’t any phrases sufficient sufficient that I can inform them. I can say this, is that we have an obligation to be, candidly, brutal with the details and in order that they’ve that information by way of precisely what occurred. And that is a part of the felony investigation that is ongoing proper now. And we even have to carry ourselves accountable for any missteps or any errors or something that is felony culpability, and we’ll achieve this.

Tony Plohetski: Is there an apology to be made on behalf of regulation enforcement?

DPS Director McCraw: I’d be glad to apologize to the households on behalf of regulation enforcement as a result of, as I’ve testified earlier than, it was an abject failure. It violated all of the rules that we have realized a lot through the years. And, you already know, since post-Columbine in 1999, it is at all times been with nice urgency, it’s essential to find, isolate and neutralize. And that is an necessary half, not simply find and comprise, however find, isolate and neutralize, as a result of it is not simply by way of stopping the killing. You’ve received to cease the killing. You additionally must cease the dying. And the one method to try this is neutralize the topic, plain and easy, particularly if there’s kids the place the topic is situated at and there is lecturers which have been shot or might have been shot or might be shot.

Tony Plohetski: You just lately stated that you’ll resign in case your company was deemed to have had some stage of culpability. Correct? Do you imagine that your company, as we sit right here as we speak, may have some stage of culpability?

DPS Director McCraw: We have some stage of culpability. I’ve received little doubt. To the extent that the Department of Public Safety is chargeable for the failed response, there are some issues I simply can’t admit to, just because it is not true. And I’m not able proper now to attempt to defend what DPS did or not. It actually does not matter what I say. In the tip, what is going on to matter is the proof. And the one good news from an evidentiary standpoint all through this factor has been video and audio proof. It cannot be disputed. It’s there. It’s not going wherever. And the earlier we get all of it out to the households, to the general public, to the media, the higher off the division is healthier. But the state as effectively, and definitely the households.

Tony Plohetski: I respect that there’s an ongoing investigation. You all are nonetheless studying issues. But to what finish do you assume your company particularly has some stage of management?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, we’re a part of the regulation enforcement group. I can return by way of why this wasn’t prevented within the first place. There was information on the market on the topic, and folks knew this. This wasn’t the primary time that he was mentioned by way of a college shooter. There was chat rooms he was concerned in. And we was speaking on FaceTime the day of the tragedy. He was speaking and admitting what he was going to do, predicting what he was going to do. Yet none of that was captured by regulation enforcement. The method that we may be proactive and stop one other, you already know, lively shooter will not be like we did again within the Uvalde a number of years in the past. We had two youngsters that have been planning to assault Uvalde High School. To the extent that that is what it seems to be like is the absence of crime and poor planning on the entrance finish. So that is a failure to start with from a regulation enforcement standpoint. Secondly, in any catastrophic occasion, there’s at all times going to be lack of information. But there was additionally misinformation on this case. And that is necessary as a result of, you already know, once you arrive on a specific scene, whether or not you are the police officer or deputy constable, whether or not you are a particular agent with ATF, with DEA, with HSI, with Border Patrol, it does not matter. When you arrive on scene and also you see folks performing prefer it’s a barricaded topic, speaking prefer it’s a barricaded topic and it is handled like a barricaded topic, if you do not have the information, if there’s kids within the classroom, there is a lecturers in a classroom which have been shot with topics nonetheless in there and nobody is treating these people, then you’ve misinformation. And, sadly, misinformation is expensive, and you do not have time for that.

Tony Plohetski: So you are saying that on that day, you imagine among the officers on the bottom and the troopers on the bottom, among the deputies, among the brokers, might not have had the right information that they lacked?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, I do know that they lacked the right information. It’s one factor to have an absence of information. That’s at all times the case in conditions like this, and there is at all times a crushing demand. And I’m accountable, a part of that demand for information as fast as potential, since you’re holding your breath each time you hear “active shooter school.” God, that is an elementary faculty. You simply maintain your breath and hope it is a hoax. Just yet one more hoax that has occurred, or it was remoted and no kids have been damage. But that is not the case on this scenario.

Tony Plohetski: Isn’t there additionally an obligation, although, to go discover out what the reality is, if you happen to’re on the bottom?

DPS Director McCraw: Absolutely. Absolutely. There is. And that is why it is so necessary. And that is why our career, integrity is so necessary. And you’ve got received to have the ability to name it like it’s. And if there’s any culpability, we’re our officers not simply by way of after they arrived and what they did but additionally what they did not do. But is it potential that in the event that they have been within the hallway sooner, might they’ve gotten information that may enable us or at the very least allowed the countermand by way of route of the occasions? It was a barricaded topic. It was not a barricaded topic.

Tony Plohetski: Could they’ve or ought to they’ve?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, I want they might have had, I’ll put it that method. Whether they may have is a special subject as a result of we’re conducting an ongoing investigation internally. Well, the inspector common. I’m going to attend for his conclusions earlier than I make a last willpower of whether or not they need to have or might have.

Tony Plohetski: But you do imagine that’s going to be a part of the problem at play right here?

DPS Director McCraw: Absolutely.

Tony Plohetski: Your staff, your boots on the bottom, they could have suffered from an absence of information?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, I do know they did. I do know that the majority of our, you already know, officers at the moment did arrive, since you’ve at all times, now we have a really small footprint concerned in that. We had six officers on obligation within the county general. When that assault and the report of the assault, the 911 name got here in, most of our officers responded have been both in Val Verde County or in Maverick County on the border. So, it took, you already know, they drove 120 miles an hour to get there. OK. When they get there, they’re being reported. And the information they’re getting is obvious and easy. It’s a barricaded topic. The chief is negotiating with them proper now. And it was even stories that the person’s in an workplace. So that is the information that is being, not simply by way of DPS officers, however that is the information being supplied. The Uvalde PD officers, the deputy sheriffs from the Uvalde Police Department, constables, Border Patrol, informed the identical information as they go out and in of the constructing. So everyone seems to be underneath the impression and nobody has any concept that that is an active-shooter scenario.

Tony Plohetski: Those seven who’ve been referred to the. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. On what varieties of potential coverage violations they’re being checked out?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, it might not be coverage violations. In the tip, it might simply be have an expectations of upper requirements. OK. It’s not a lot what they did not do. It’s what they may have achieved is what we’re , frankly. And, you already know, simply once you get there, what do you do once you get there? So the issues that we’re is when did you arrive? What have been you informed and what did you do? Plain and easy. And, you already know, the command workers, and we actually, I would like them concerned in as effectively, evaluating folks. You know, it is necessary. When did they get there? What have been they informed and what did they do after they received there? So captains and everyone seems to be concerned in that. Particular issues involves a valuation. No one will get an alibi. But I’ll wait till the inspector common finishes it. And there’s yet one more factor that is essential, and that is the felony investigation. The district lawyer has made it very clear they will consider each officer that responded that day for felony culpability. So no matter what we decide ultimately, in the end, she and the grand jury will decide whether or not there’s different culpability by any officer in that specific hallway on that day.

Tony Plohetski: Let me ask you what you concentrate on that. I imply, you’ve the facility to arrest, to judge a set of details and decide whether or not or not there must be a verdict. Yeah? You know the proof. Do you imagine that any regulation enforcement officers ought to face felony expenses for what occurred?

DPS Director McCraw: I’ve some ideas, however I’m not going to convey my ideas publicly proper now as a result of they do not matter, as with the proof that issues. And it is actually the district lawyer. We get to determine, you already know, whether or not there’s possible trigger to arrest. They get to determine whether or not they will prosecute in that regard.

Tony Plohetski: You are usually not keen to say proper now whether or not or not you imagine any conduct might rise to the extent of a felony offense?

DPS Director McCraw: I believe that only a remark on that itself could be doing one thing I informed the district lawyer I would not do, is go down that highway and speak concerning the felony investigation. And I do not wish to remark on that. And actually what I’ve to remark, actually that issues not. It’s the proof and it is in the end what occurs. And the district lawyer will get to determine who will get prosecuted, if anybody will get prosecuted. And actually a grand jury is empowered to indict anyone for misconduct.

Tony Plohetski: With regard to any potential administrative motion that could be very way more in your purview?

DPS Director McCraw: Yes, it is fully in my purview. Yes, completely.

Tony Plohetski: So do you imagine, as we sit right here as we speak, that somebody will or must be fired or severely disciplined?

DPS Director McCraw: I will not say fired. I’m disillusioned in the truth that we weren’t as proactive as I wish to have seen somebody, as a result of as I discussed, you already know, it is not a lot that anyone, you already know, arriving officers did not do what they thought they have been imagined to do. Based on the information, as is, typically I’ve an expectation that we get higher information. Just since you’re informed this doesn’t suggest it’s important to imagine that, OK? We received some excellent expertise and there is an expectation that we put nice belief in them, that they are ready to make use of their eyes and ears to have the ability to discern, you already know, “OK, this has been reported” and understand there isn’t any precedent for the Department of Public Safety are available and take over. I imply, that simply … we have by no means achieved that. There’s no precedent by way of the incident command. Well, that is being achieved. We get that. There’s actually no authorized provisions to have the ability to enable that to occur. It’s at all times the unique jurisdiction we assist in that regard. But on the similar level, you already know, we have got an obligation to take a look at what, this was a mistake. It wasn’t only a mistake. It was an abject failure. So what might the division do going forward primarily based on what we all know proper now? And the one factor we are able to do is to do eradicate any ambiguity consequently to a barricaded topic, OK? Versus an lively shooter. And from a division standpoint, very merely is that from now on, going ahead, and I made it very clear way back to our troops that they are empowered, not solely empowered, however compelled after they go into an active-shooter scenario on a college and somebody has shot a baby or has a gun on a baby and kids are threatened. There is a barricaded topic, OK, till the person is remoted and is neutralized, interval.

Tony Plohetski: Why do you think they did not do extra to actually discover out why? Why not be extra assertive when? When there may be presumably somebody with a high-powered weapon on a college campus? I imply, we all know enforcement may be fairly assertive or aggressive after they wish to be. So why did they not convey that to bear on this case?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, there isn’t any query it might have been dropped at bear. As I’ve talked about earlier than, you do not cease till the menace is terminated. Plain and easy. And that did not occur. But I can not say that you do not instantly query the information. The finest information is at all times inside, and it is the coming officers and it is going to be the on-scene command. That’s the most effective information you will get. And we historically rely on that information to make selections. And when a call has been made and information is relayed that the topic is contained, that is a barricaded topic, that now we have time and do the standard conditions the place you name out the person, you name for SWAT. All these items are in step with a barricaded topic. It seems to be like that. And frankly, you already know, with regulation enforcement, we do not query that primarily based upon that. We’re those which have essentially the most information, the most effective information. That’s at all times going to be the rating official that is first on the scene, and that occurs to be within the hallway the place the assault occurred.

Tony Plohetski: With regard to the evaluate that that committee is doing, seven have been referred to the inspector common, some folks take a look at, you already know, the sheer quantity personnel. Only seven out of 91. That looks like a small quantity to some of us.

DPS Director McCraw: Yeah, I’m positive it does. But it sort of goes again to what I discussed earlier than. Most of our sources have been on the border. And in the event that they received right here after BORTAC, BORTAC was a tactical unit known as in to have the ability to do the tactical operation. That’s what the chief requested on the bottom. That’s who got here. And we actually defer it. And that is an excellent unit. By the way in which, BORTAC labored with them many occasions on the border, excellent professionals. Certainly, Border Patrol’s received a bigger footprint there, and you’ve got already received a Uvalde station and so they’ve received extra folks on the bottom within the constructing faster and quicker than us. And so, you already know, from 12:15, after they’re there, after they arrive, you already know, they have received the command facet of it. So anyone after that, us arriving, you already know, not solely would now we have to imagine management over the chief, but additionally Border Patrol, as BORTAC, who’s received the experience and folks is a tactical gear on the bottom. At that time limit, the longer you wait, if we have got officers arriving, you already know, at 12:13, 12:20, 12:25, which we do, as a result of you’ll be able to see it. You cannot, sadly, time and distance with our enemy, we could not put sufficient officers in there in a well timed method to affect something. No, to help, actually, as we’re in a position to do from the outer perimeter and inside perimeter and the issues that you simply usually do by way of defending crime scenes after the actual fact, by way of evacuation, we had lots folks preserve pouring into it, however the nature of it’s, it took us a very long time to get a enough foot footprint there in place.

Tony Plohetski: What is the standing of the felony investigation proper now and what’s precisely being investigated?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, there’s at all times and I say this as a result of any time there’s an officer that makes use of drive and lethal drive, there’s an investigation that is ongoing. And no one of their proper thoughts thinks that anyone’s going to indict the police officer for doing precisely what they’re imagined to do, and that is kill the topic. The different a part of that investigation is, the DEA has made it very clear each officer that responded, OK, she’s going to evaluate for his or her felony culpability. So what the investigation entails proper now could be what have you learnt? When did you arrive? What have you learnt and what did you do? And that is each officer, plain and easy. We begin with ones, clearly, we’re first there and you’re employed backwards alongside that timeline by way of ensuring that you have accounted for others. And typically it is not simply in phrases those that responded. I imply, the division, we’re wanting internally as effectively, ones that did not reply. Was there anyone that did not reply that ought to reply? And so, a few of these that may get it in the course of the referral course of we later discover out might have been on annual go away some place else, however we nonetheless wish to take a look at it. Why did not they reply higher in Uvalde? And that is their obligation station. Why did not they reply?

Tony Plohetski: I do know that you have been requested about this repeatedly, however I simply wish to merely have a chance to ask you about it once more. Release of information. You have been deferring to the request of the Uvalde County district lawyer. Correct? Your resolution to not launch information? 

DPS Director McCraw: Correct.

Tony Plohetski: But I simply wish to make clear. That is a coverage administrative resolution that you simply have been making, appropriate?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, I imagine it’s, but it surely’s additionally a process or coverage we have had carried out and used for many years, lengthy earlier than I turned the director and, frankly, after I was with the FBI. The similar drawback. If U.S. lawyer does not authorize it, then we do not launch it as a result of there’s at all times concern that we’ll intrude with the case. We’re going to compromise it in a roundabout way, form or type. And I do know federal district judges and state district judges look unfavorably. If the administrators and chiefs of police have been on the market saying issues to the media that may in a roundabout way, form or type taint the jury pool and make it tougher to get a good trial to any individual, and we acknowledge that. And if we’ll take on the investigation, I imply, the DA requested us to take the lead on the investigation versus ISD or Uvalde PD and the sheriff’s workplace. We agreed to try this. Well … there’s sure guidelines we’ll abide by. And after her and I mentioned on a specific day that was in the most effective curiosity of the case for us to not present extra information. And we actually agree.

Tony Plohetski: There has been a rivalry on the market that because the narrator of occasions that day, or one of many essential narrators, that you simply and your company, you more and more pointed the finger again on the native officers of your physique as an alternative of assuming no matter duty you are feeling you may need. Have you achieved that?

DPS Director McCraw: No. In truth, if something, I used to be reluctant. Even the Friday after we had discovered that we would had misinformation, and this wasn’t a heroic regulation enforcement response, it was a tragedy. And I received on the market, I even tried to make it very clear that that is the good thing about hindsight and retrospectively wanting on the information, and this error was made. I do not wish to put a finger on any individual else. It’s not our nature and we do not thoughts taking duty for ourselves, however to level the finger at any individual else, however to be trustworthy and to be candid, brutally candid, I imply, the proof was compelling. It hasn’t modified since my testimony and since that press convention, is a mistake was made. Mistakes occur. This was a tragic mistake. And the tragic mistake was made is to deal with this factor as a barricaded topic. But it was not. Plain and easy. So the one factor I did, and understand that it did not impression it is not simply making an attempt to guard DPS and our picture, our officers, and we’ll do this. It’s actually about different officers that have been in that hallway, too. Border Patrol, U.S. Marshals. OK. You’ve all of the sheriffs. There was constables, there was a sport warden. There’s many different officers which might be working underneath this fable that it is a barricaded topic when it wasn’t something however barricaded topic. So these officers OK, we already know that three of all of the officers did the proper factor after they went in and instantly confronted the door alongside these traces. So there’s not, it actually has the error and nothing goes to alter it. The extra proof that comes out, and I stay up for releasing all of the information, all of the proof, and significantly the video proof and the audio proof, as a result of the general public is in finest place to take a look at and decide for themselves. But you’ll be able to’t, I can not change it. You know, I can not change the details. It it might appear unseemly to some, however ultimately, it is the reality. And the reality is {that a} mistake was made. And consequently, the error is, effectively, that is all I’m going to go down the highway by way of the impression. But we all know one factor is that folks have been working on the information that was X when it was actually Y.

Tony Plohetski: And it is nonetheless in your place 4 months later that the originator of that, to make use of your phrase “myth,” was Pete Arredondo.

DPS Director McCraw: There’s no query that that is the case. I imply, it is compelling and it is not modified in something that I testified within the earlier than the Senate after I was compelled to testify publicly. Nothing’s modified.

Tony Plohetski: I wish to ask you, since you talked about it as effectively, this concept that sprang forth within the hours and first couple of days after the shooting. Your personnel stated it publicly in interviews. The governor frankly stated it. Federal authorities stated it as effectively. And that’s this concept that the law enforcement officials and different regulation enforcement personnel acted heroically. How and why on this planet was that one thing that so shortly received disseminated and but was so terribly improper?

DPS Director McCraw: Was it the identical briefing that the governor was and senators have been and congressmen and definitely native elected officers and others? And frankly, clearly, the primary reported information was that there was there was 500 kids have been rescued because of the courageous actions of regulation enforcement. You know, no actual motive to query that originally. And have been it the main focus of the investigation. And instantly from our standpoint, anyone’s standpoint, is the sufferer identification and household notification. Those are the precedence of priorities. And to get information, we have been relying on information that got here from these on the scene and people in command on that scene. And that information was relayed at a specific assembly. In truth, it was Wednesday morning briefing that I sat in. And the truth is, considered one of our regional director, Victor Escalon, you already know, did the briefing, you already know, after an area official handed out and was ready unable to do it, he was requested to do the briefing and he relayed precisely what he was informed by two people. I’m not going to say their names, however the actual information he supplied in that regard. But, you already know, Victor was sensible sufficient. He’s been round, being a Texas Ranger, Victor’s been round for some time and he caveated it. “Hey, this is what we know right now. We haven’t corroborated this, but this is what we did. But this is what we’re being told.” And I believe that the consensus was across the room, and I used to be part of that consensus, though we had some questions on engagement versus encounter, whether or not, you already know, these on the preliminary dialogue by way of what occurred on the entrance finish of it. So we got here away from that comparatively assured that, “Hey, this is yeah, OK, lots of children were saved, like heroic action.” It made sense in that regard. But one factor we did caveat it in later on, however incontrovertible fact that was questioned later on. “Hey, until we review the video evidence frame by frame, we’re really not going to know exactly what happened.” And that is the nice factor from our skilled standpoint is the expertise upgrades. We’ve seen all good change in expertise, in video and audio only for surveillance functions, but additionally physique cameras, sprint cameras, all these issues are proof, hardcore proof that we’ll evaluate body by body. Now, in any main investigation, you’ll be able to’t simply do issues, you already know, consecutively. Got two issues concurrently. And happily for us, we had loads of nice companions on this, together with the FBI, ATF, however particularly, the FBI has helped out immensely by way of protecting leads, worldwide leads on this, leads outdoors the state interviews. But expertise, as a result of it is necessary to seize the proof, the video proof, ensure that it is not misplaced, is preserved, to ensure that it is formatted appropriately after which enhanced.

Tony Plohetski: So you have been within the briefing with the governor?

DPS Director McCraw: Yes, sir. 

Tony Plohetski: Behind the stage on the faculty earlier than you all took to the stage?

DPS Director McCraw: Yes sir.

Tony Plohetski: And he supplied information primarily based on information he obtained from two folks you declined to call?

DPS Director McCraw: Yes, precisely.

Tony Plohetski: And these are native Uvalde officers?

DPS Director McCraw: Yeah, regulation enforcement officers. 

Tony Plohetski: But he didn’t, via his personal company or DPS personnel who might have been there and had information from inside DPS at the moment, he had not corroborated what he was being informed by the locals. He had a belief within the locals.

DPS Director McCraw: And he made it, we made it clear on the entrance finish this hasn’t been corroborated but, however that is what we all know proper now, quite simple. And he stepped in to fill the void from the native official. He had a medical concern, wasn’t able to have the ability to do the briefing. And it was very, you already know, it was very succinct, to the purpose. And, in fact, the one conclusion somebody can come away with is, yeah, it feels like regulation enforcement, you already know, saved the day or he saved, you already know, 500 kids, OK, by isolating the topic. And that was the narrative that got here out of there. And, in fact, the one time that narrative was countered was after we received the video again and we’re in a position to evaluate it, which was a precedence of priorities. And we have been in a position to get it when the FBI accomplished it, the enhancement or the primary model of it and checked out it. So, wait a minute. This was reported that there was an ISD officer on the scene and the security officer was confronted or engaged in, or the time period, you already know, encountered by ISD. Well, that did not occur. And from a funeral dwelling video which has been launched, OK, folks can see that that didn’t happen. In truth, that officer, there was no one on campus and an officer that did arrive  drove by the topic and confronted what he thought was the topic, what ended up being a trainer within the again. So that was the primary piece of misinformation that was communicated, that the video instantly eradicated in that regard. And the second is that it is a barricaded topic.

Tony Plohetski: Can you respect, although, that for Mr. Reyes, a fourth-grade trainer who laid on the ground ready for assist, ready for the dad and mom who stood outdoors begging and pleading for regulation enforcement to do extra, to listen to for 3 days that they carried out heroically, I imply. They discover that galling?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, I could not agree extra. And galling for anyone in our career, you already know, the concept we’re offering misinformation out or relaying misinformation as a result of it was something however heroic within the truth it was an absolute catastrophe. So, yeah, if I’m the mother or father, I’m the grandparent or a member of the family or only a citizen of Uvalde. I’d be upset. I’m upset from, as a regulation enforcement skilled, as a result of integrity means a lot to what we do. We’ve received to behave on information and the information must be correct. And it does not must, you already know, it does not have to be editorialized. But, you already know, what wanted to be conveyed is that the topic got here into the college with a rifle. He shot kids and lecturers, possibly not trainer, however we all know he went right into a classroom and he fired. He fired a number of rounds and he is nonetheless within the classroom with these youngsters are nonetheless at. The youngsters are nonetheless in that classroom and he is nonetheless lively. He’s not neutralized. He could also be contained, however he is lively. And the entire protocol, and what a lot has been invested in our career through the years, is that you simply received to get to them. You received to neutralize them instantly, interval. There’s no excuses. There’s no alibis. You received to get it achieved. It did not get achieved.

Tony Plohetski: But even the evening earlier than, you already know, a spokesman was additionally speaking concerning the heroics of earlier in that day. Is it additionally your place that your boots on the bottom, even that night, have been equally relying upon statements from Uvalde native officers?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, they actually have been, and there isn’t any query about it. The first one which was in a position to query it was, in fact, the Rangers doing the investigation. And and it was Victor Escalon, and he noticed, “Hey, wait a minute, boss. … what we talked about, you already know, on Wednesday morning, that did not occur.

Tony Plohetski: I’m glad you introduced that up. Yeah. You relay the exact second and your response when somebody got here as much as you and stated, colonel, this isn’t proper.

DPS Director McCraw: Well, it was Wednesday night, OK, that day when Victor made that time to “Hey, that what we’ve talked about, what I conveyed, what we were told about this, this is the officer on campus engaging the subject, didn’t happen.” And we knew that at that time by reviewing the video footage by way of the funeral. So the subsequent day and all that, Victor was requested to exit by native officers to exit once more, defend the response. And, in fact, you already know, and Victor being Victor went on the market and informed it prefer it was, that every one this that, you already know, about this did not occur, and it did not occur.

Tony Plohetski: Did you watch the video your self, the hallway cam, on that Wednesday?

DPS Director McCraw: I didn’t. But I used to be relayed to me that it did not occur. I had an opportunity to evaluate the funeral dwelling video from the video. No, I had not.

Tony Plohetski: Not solely did the engagement not occur, however by the way in which, they stood within the corridor.

DPS Director McCraw: You could not inform that from the funeral dwelling video. All you would inform is you can see the arrival. You can see the topic getting in. But what you’ll be able to see is that there is the topic at this location, which I’ve already supplied within the setup testimony, and now you’ve got all of the ISD officer drove by him considering the trainer behind it was, that was the person with a gun when it wasn’t the person with a gun, was a trainer within the again on the south facet. So that was that was in a position to evaluate or in a position to see at the moment. And that is what Victor Escalon noticed. And that is why, you already know, when he rolled out the subsequent day to appropriate that error and, in fact, the subsequent day we had an opportunity to have the ability to evaluate that in entire, together with myself, what occurred inside. And we additionally take a look at 911 calls, but additionally, you already know, which was essential facet of it and dispatcher logs, we did all of that and so it was readily obvious this was, wait a minute. 

Tony Plohetski: What went via your thoughts once you noticed it?

DPS Director McCraw: It was shock. I imply, how might you not be shocked? This is, it was unbelievable. It was horrific, you already know, and the way can it presumably occur in Texas? And we have been happy with all that we have achieved in progressing by way of active-shooter responses. And we have got so many heroic officers all through the state. I imply, how might this presumably occur? With the doctrine is put aside and now we have such a travesty? So, yeah. And then in fact this challenges now what will we do? Well, it, “Hey, someone needs to tell the public because we’ve been saying this, it ain’t that.” And so that is necessary. I assumed, at that time limit, to go to the place it was and, you already know, the place I believe, the media was there anyway in that regard. But it is actually the place the the residents have been at and inform them what our view is predicated upon what we do as of Thursday afternoon.

Tony Plohetski: I’m asking you to step into the minds of those that volunteer, native officers. I understand that is tough to do, however I do assume your perceptions round this are necessary. Why do you assume they have been saying heroes?

DPS Director McCraw: I actually do not see … the mayor and the county decide as a result of that is what they have been being informed and that is the place the body ,and I believe they believed that for an extended time frame, even afterwards. And I can let you know, my press convention didn’t go effectively by native elected officers. They thought I had besmirched native regulation enforcement, that there was an assault on them. It was shifting blame alongside these traces. Not in any respect. It was being correct in that regard. And I believe they really believed initially that it actually was a rogue regulation enforcement response and that to enter that room was suicidal. Well, guess what? That’s what we receives a commission to do, is to enter that function, plain and easy. And it is no excuse, no alibis in that scenario.

Tony Plohetski: But with regard to the 2 individuals who created that narrative, why do you assume they did that? Was it to cover the reality or do you assume that is actually what they what they noticed or what they believed?

DPS Director McCraw: You know, typically, I requested myself that many, many, many occasions, and I do not I believe I’ve received to imagine as a result of it is my nature to be optimistic that folks on this career attempt to do the proper factor and so they make errors after which attempt to justify it there afterwards. But I, you already know, it is potential. And in his personal thoughts that he thought what he did was the proper factor to do as a result of placing officers into that room would price the lives of officers. And, as I’ve stated, is that, you already know, we won’t ever be in a career, I’m not going to remark on that scenario, however we by no means put the lives of officers earlier than the residents of the state, and significantly kids. That’s an absolute, you already know, demarcation vivid line, by no means can occur in that regard. Understandable. You know, we get that within the fog of conflict. You know, selections are made, you already know, talk. All these items are occurring. Adrenaline’s flowing via your head. You get tunnel imaginative and prescient, all these items gone. But on the finish of the day, you receives a commission to make the proper selections. And in some unspecified time in the future, it’s important to act. And that is a kind of conditions the place motion is crucial.

Tony Plohetski: Any closing remarks to the group of Uvalde, to the residents of Texas, with regard to the efficiency of your company that day and any pledge going ahead?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, we’ll maintain all people accountable, the division, that we did not stay as much as the expectations, not simply felony culpability and even misconduct, however actually something we predict that they lacked in efficiency that we’ll do this, plain and easy. Our troops anticipate that. We  routinely interact in that kind of accountability. The solely factor I can say that basically, actually issues is that, and we’ll actually share that information with the general public and the relations. I’d want to share it with the relations first. I do not anticipate that they will respect, you already know, no matter. And I do not, there’s by no means sufficient. I can by no means say sufficient and do sufficient for these relations in the neighborhood. And I can let you know this, and the division could be very proactive. We do not promote it, however proper now we’re offering the safety on the faculties. That’s as a result of they requested us to do it. They wished troopers. We introduced them troopers, and we’ll proceed to take action. In a current dialog with the mayor, they received a difficulty with gangs. And when he had a dialog with the governor, when the governor understood that there are two shootings in two weeks, and naturally, the violence they’ve, they’ve gone via sufficient. And we have to be extra proactive. So, we have assigned troopers to have the ability to help our companions, all of the police division, by way of addressing the gang half, not simply by way of patrol roles and herald groups of particular brokers. Uvalde goes to be the most secure metropolis within the state of Texas inside two months.

Tony Plohetski: You stated that you’d apologize to Uvalde of us on behalf of regulation enforcement. Does DPS owe them an apology but?

DPS Director McCraw: Well, I’ll say yeah. DPS does as a result of we’re a part of regulation enforcement. I imply, DPS is part of regulation enforcement group, and part of that’s working with our companions in coaching, you already know, coaching, working with them to ensure that now we have clear communications, command and management getting in. And when errors are made, as a result of there’s not an active-shooter scenario within the state that is not multi regulation enforcement. I’ll use an instance. Downtown Houston, Eisenhower High School. It was was a report of an lively shooter and we, clearly, Houston PD, a big presence there, they responded as a result of they have been shut. Their constables responded and DPS troopers responded. They occurred to be within the space. And in fact, that the purpose is … it is one group and that is the proper, doctrinally, the proper factor. Now, sadly, it was one other hoax and so they reached a classroom. And it was actually disruptive by way of what they did, however they did the proper factor the proper method. 

Tony Plohetski: But once more, you apologize on behalf of DPS?

DPS Director McCraw: Yeah, I’ll be glad to. If that helps the households. Absolutely. Because I imagine that DPS, now we have a better function, not simply by way of the response when possibly they’re late, but it surely’s the entrance finish of that response. What will we do to forestall this assault or to start with? Why did not we learn about this? You know, regulation enforcement on the whole, however with DPS particularly? And furthermore, by way of, you already know, “Hey, why were we training with officers earlier? Why did we know there was a communication breakdown inside schools? What did we know there?” And it, frankly, if you happen to take a look at the safety menace evaluation that we did, you already know, why did we all know that that every one these vulnerabilities exist? You know, why do not you already know why not? We, proper now, after Santa Fe, we despatched troopers round, OK, to be nearer to varsities. … administrative work, we would slightly do it within the car parking zone or, hey, in some faculties we’ll even present area for our troopers. We wish to be round and engaged in that regard. But when there’s vulnerabilities, what can we do to convey it to the eye? We have hundreds of campuses throughout the state and so lots of our elementary and so many with so many gaps, just a little time, so many threats. I imply, what might we do higher as an company?

Tony Plohetski: Can you speak to me extra about that?

DPS Director McCraw: Most of these officers, 91 officers, have been assigned to perimeter duties, weren’t even allowed into the constructing. So, yeah, there was 91. And even my command workers, these arriving in arrived 120 seconds earlier than … so that they have been there late. There’s no query about it. And, sadly, as I discussed earlier than, the enemy to us was time and distance. I imply, you’ll be able to’t drive quick sufficient. You might drive 120, 130 miles an hour. You cannot drive from Eagle Pass and get to Uvalde in a time you can have a constructive impression. And so, we have been late to reach. That’s why you see us by way of, you take a look at GPS and take a look at our information monitoring, you’ll be able to see us flowing into and we’re flowing into areas offering the outer perimeter of outer safety. And that is our principal function at that time. We did launch a SWAT group out of Austin, and so our group, they known as them off as a result of the occasion was over by the point they received midway there. Similarly, I believe different businesses did the identical factor. 

Tony Plohetski: So simply remind me, earlier than 12:50, what number of boots on the bottom did you’ve, DPS?

DPS Director McCraw: Ninety-one arrived, and that features administration and all people earlier than the breach, 91, and extra thereafter. 

Tony Plohetski: And then what number of have been within the corridor?

DPS Director McCraw: Until BORTAC arrived was about 9 on the most. And I say within the corridor, not the identical time. And for instance, we had a feminine trooper at 11:42, she went in after 2 minutes, was already 18 officers in there. She left. In that regard, we had 4 troopers that got here in once more, similar factor, hallway stacked with extra folks than was wanted. They moved out in that regard. So, on the finish, we have got actually those that went in just like the command workers, you already know, proper in the direction of the tip, even Victor, 120 seconds earlier than the breach walked in at my route to get in there, get some information.

Tony Plohetski: Well, lack of a command submit is an enormous drawback?

DPS Director McCraw: No, it actually wasn’t. That’s the, I believe, a misnomer is that what actually was an issue was, is that the shortage of motion by the officers on the scene. Plain and easy. You haven’t got time for a command submit. You have one. It’s necessary. The command submit is absolutely necessary about afterwards, the most effective information is coming inside and officers haven’t got time for the commanders to offer them permission to function like it is a leaderless group, OK, and that is why I’ve talked about, you already know, whether or not it is HPD, whether or not it is DPS, whether or not it like within the Santa Fe the place it is the ISD, that is the DPS and native departments. You all get in line. You do not look ahead to management to come back. You do not arrange a command submit and speak about a unified command and focus on this and that. Yeah, you’ll be able to, that must be achieved. So the response because it pertains to treating the accidents, the medical piece in that regard that must be achieved. But proper right here, they should go discover the particular person and terminate them.

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