The embattled now-former chief was a no-show at Wednesday’s assembly, as a substitute submitting a 17-page assertion asserting his First Amendment rights have been violated.
UVALDE, Texas — Pete Arredondo has been fired as Uvalde CISD’s chief of police. The determination is efficient instantly.
The vote by district school board members was unanimous Wednesday night, in a gathering the place the embattled Arredondo – who led the botched legislation enforcement response at Robb Elementary precisely three months in the past – was a no-show.
Instead, his lawyer submitted a 17-page assertion calling for him to be reinstated with again pay. Arredondo had been on unpaid depart since July 22.
“Any allegation of lack of leadership is wholly misplaced,” the assertion asserts, arguing that Arredondo’s actions on the school on May 24 probably saved lives or additional damage.
It additionally alleges Arredondo was placed on unpaid depart “without any advanced notice” in July, and that the district “imposed last-minute procedural hurdles” forward of Wednesday’s listening to, violating his First Amendment rights.
“The district has successfully gagged Chief Arredondo to the point that he cannot participate,” the assertion concludes.
The district had confronted strain to fireplace the police chief after Texas DPS revealed he was the incident commander on May 24. Wednesday’s vote was preceded by a prolonged closed-doors session involving the school board, and was adopted by these in attendance silently leaving whereas holding up indicators. One had photographs of the victims, and one other learn: “Amerie Forever.”
The assembly had been postponed twice. The school district despatched out a discover final week stating that they’d focus on his termination Wednesday.
The assembly has been postponed previously as a result of the district can’t finish Arredondo’s contract with out giving their the explanation why. Superintendent Hal Harrell really useful Arredondo’s termination in July.
Many group members and sufferer’s households had referred to as for a similar. During Wednesday’s public-comments part, Brett Cross, whose 10-year-old nephew Uziyah Garcia died at Robb Elementary, stated the least the district may do is conduct its conferences in an open discussion board.
“For him to not be right here and face the implications of his personal actions? Exactly,” the speaker stated referring to Arredondo.
Another speaker added, “You should not going to brush this underneath the rug.”
Amerie Jo Garza’s father stated that he wished his daughter was there so she may converse for herself, whereas additionally thanking the group for his or her help.
“Thank you everyone for being here for us. It means a lot,” he stated. “We don’t know what to do. We want to fight for our children.”
The full assertion from Arredondo’s authorized illustration could be learn beneath.
Arredondo has testified to the Texas House Committee that he believed the shooter was a barricaded topic as a substitute of an lively shooter.
It took legislation enforcement greater than an hour to confront the shooter.
And whereas Arredondo was listed within the district’s lively shooter plan because the incident commander, the House Committee report confirmed legislation enforcement lacked clear management and communication.
The report criticizing Arredondo for losing time looking for a key to the classroom the shooter was in. He additionally didn’t take his radio with him.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link
