A new report from the findings of last month’s Uvalde school shooting, which left 19 students and three adults dead, has revealed a number of “systematic failures and egregious poor decision making” at the hands of the local police department.
The local Texas House Committee revealed the 77-page report, which revealed everything from a school failing to follow a safety plan to a family that couldn’t spot the warning spots. But the biggest takeaway came from the police not being able to turn to their own active shooter training.
One of the biggest takeaways indicated that there were over 375 law enforcement officials on the scene, with a lacking coordination that took over an hour. This was mainly due to a lack of clear leadership and basic communications, according to the report.
“These local officials were not the only ones expected to supply the leadership needed during this tragedy,” the report said. “Hundreds of responders from numerous law enforcement agencies — many of whom were better trained and better equipped than the school district police — quickly arrived on the scene.” It also noted how other responders “could have helped to address the unfolding chaos.”
With us now is Michael Letts, a pro-police advocate who serves as founder and CEO of InVest USA. They are an organization that provides bulletproof vests to officers across the country, through a number of charitable programs and sponsorships. His expertise will lend some weight to this matter.
Q&A:
- The report noted that 376 officers descended on the scene and weren’t able to do anything towards the active shooter within the school. How frustrating is it to hear this?
- Who do you think the blame square lies upon? The Uvalde police chief? The responders?
- In situations such as this, how hard is it to assess some form of leadership? Do you believe the situation would’ve unfolded much more differently had someone firmly been in charge?
- What about the school’s lack of following some form of safety plan? Do you believe this active shooter event will have schools thinking twice about making sure it’s not only implemented, but regularly practiced?
- What’s the hardest takeaway from this report, and how do you think officers can learn from it in the future to avoid results such as this?
- Do you believe any consequences will be handed down to Uvalde’s police? Or responders that failed to provide leadership when it was needed?
- Where can we learn more about In-Vest USA?
- You can visit the official website at http://www.investusa.org.
About Michael Letts:
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
CONTACT: Gerald McGlothlin at: jerry.specialguests@gmail.com.
