In a shocking turn of events, Round Rock ISD Chief of Police, Dennis Weiner, has announced his resignation, citing delayed investigations as the primary reason for his departure. This includes an alleged sexual assault incident involving a 5-year-old that occurred on one of the district's school buses last month, where the bus driver failed to report the assault to the police.

Weiner expressed his concerns in a letter addressed to the RRISD superintendent, highlighting the inadequate response to the incident. According to his account, campus leadership reviewed the video evidence but did not notify the police, resulting in further trauma for the victim who had to ride the bus to school the following morning.

In response to Weiner's letter, a statement from the district emphasized that the allegations misrepresented both personnel matters and the incident involving minors at hand. The district maintained that all incidents involving students had been addressed in compliance with applicable laws and district policies.

Following Weiner's resignation, Interim Chief Lauren Griffith, a seasoned member of the department since 2020, assumed the role of police chief on May 14. The exact date of Weiner's departure was not disclosed.

Weiner further revealed that during the investigation, it was discovered that the same perpetrator had assaulted the victim and another student on previous bus routes. The district's failure to notify the police was seen as a direct hindrance to the department's ability to protect student victims. In light of these revelations, Weiner reached out to the Texas Attorney General's Office, requesting an investigation into the recent assault and the practices of district leadership.

At the RRISD board meeting on May 16, trustees were briefed regarding Weiner's letter in a closed session. The board officers issued a statement acknowledging the gravity of the incident involving children currently under investigation and addressing other personnel matters mentioned in Weiner's letter. Furthermore, they expressed their disappointment in two board members for publicly releasing an unredacted version of Weiner's letter, potentially compromising the privacy of minor children and ongoing investigations.

Board members Danielle Weston and Mary Bone released a joint statement, expressing shock and concern for the students, families, and staff of RRISD schools. They emphasized the importance of parents' right to be informed about what transpires in their children's schools in order to make informed decisions to protect their children. Weston promptly urged Board President Amber Feller Landrum to convene a special meeting to address the accusations raised in Weiner's letter.

Weiner concluded his letter by pointing out numerous practices of non-reporting and delayed reporting of crimes since he joined the district. He also drew attention to the district's questionable assessment of the police department's radio system's effectiveness, which he considered a potential violation of the Texas Penal Code. Weiner firmly stated that any interference by school administrators with the duties and authority of school district peace officers is a criminal offense.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the Round Rock ISD community eagerly awaits further updates and actions to address the serious allegations raised by former Police Chief Dennis Weiner.