Staff Reports
Unexpectedly, a local inquiry into the Uvalde, Texas, police response to the Robb Elementary School massacre last year found no evidence of misconduct on the part of the officers. The Uvalde City Council commissioned the research, which was carried out by veteran police officer Jesse Prado, and its conclusions have sparked debate.
Praiseing the Uvalde cops for their "immeasurable strength" and "level-headed thinking" throughout the crisis, Prado acknowledged what it called "failures," including poor training for active shooter scenarios and communication problems. But a lot of people have taken a skeptic's approach to this evaluation, seeing it as more of an acknowledgement of basic responsibilities than a model of excellence.
Several of the parents who attended the presentation chose to leave in protest, demonstrating their glaring dissatisfaction. Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose daughter was tragically killed in the incident, expressed her dissatisfaction and rejected the idea that the police were acting in "good faith." She expressed displeasure with the 77-minute reaction time that was given when innocent lives were at danger.
Ruben Zamorra, a different parent, said quite frankly, "These police officers joined up to do a job. They were not the ones who did it. The audience as a whole resonated with this desire for accountability. But Prado departed without answering any queries, which made the unhappiness much worse.
The report's findings are a sharp contrast to earlier evaluations, especially one from the Department of Justice that harshly condemned the response. Attorney General Merrick Garland called it a "failure," pointing out that local and federal investigators had different viewpoints.
Despite the fact that the Uvalde police were found not guilty by this local investigation, many people are nevertheless disappointed in them because they feel that there was insufficient responsibility and inefficiency. The victims and their families are still searching for justice, expecting a conclusion that will make the guilty parties answerable for their deeds.
