The delay in confronting the shooter - who was inside the school for more than an hour - could lead to discipline, lawsuits and even criminal charges against police.
UVALDE, Texas -- The actions - or more notably, the inaction - of a school district police chief and other law enforcement officers moved swiftly to the center of the investigation into this week's shocking school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
"In these cases, I think the court of public opinion is far worse than any court of law or police department administrative trial," said Joe Giacalone, a retired New York police sergeant."This has been handled so terribly on so many levels, there will be a sacrificial lamb here or there."A gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who at a news conference earlier in the week lauded the police for saving lives, said he had been misled about the initial response and promised there would be investigations into"exactly who knew what, when, who was in charge" and what they did. In terms of civil liability, the legal doctrine called"qualified immunity," which shields police officers from lawsuits unless their actions violate clearly established laws, could also be at play in future litigation.Nearly 20 officers stood in a hallway outside of the classrooms during the mass shooting for more than 45 minutes before agents used a master key to open a door and confront a gunman, authorities said.
Prosecutors will have to decide whether Arredondo's decision and the officers' inaction constituted a tragic mistake or criminal negligence, said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor who is a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Tearful Uvalde Residents Thank Police For Protecting Parking Lot From GunmanUVALDE, TX—In an expression of gratitude for keeping the community’s beloved stretch of asphalt safe, tearful Uvalde residents thanked law enforcement Thursday for protecting Robb Elementary School’s parking lot from a gunman. “To the brave officers who heroically stood outside the school to defend this pavement…
Lire la suite »
Questions raised about police protocols after Uvalde school shootingLocal criminologist Dr. Alex Del Carmen spent years training Arlington police officers how to respond to any situation, including an active shooter. He broke down how it usually works.
Lire la suite »
Texas officials investigate whether police acted fast enough to stop shooter at Uvalde schoolAuthorities walked back initial reports that an armed school resource officer had engaged the 18-year-old gunman, who made his way into the school unchallenged through an unlocked door at 11:40 a.m.
Lire la suite »
A police news conference in Uvalde leaves ‘gaps and confusion’Some journalists were baffled by lack of answers two full days after the Robb Elementary shooting massacre: 'Parents are going to be very frustrated.'
Lire la suite »