“Midland needs to wake up” MISD Police Chief resigns
MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Midland ISD Police Chief Carlos Ortiz has resigned after over three months on the job.
Ortiz was hired after the former chief resigned due to a “culmination of events”.
Prior to working for MISD, Ortiz served the U.S. Border Patrol and worked in law enforcement for over 27 years.
When he was first hired by the district Ortiz expressed excitement about the new role.
After his resignation Ortiz told CBS7,
MISD has appointed Lieutenant Scott McKown as interim Chief.
The interim chief says this change will not cause disruption to the district.
The district continued their statement saying,
“While the district adheres to the Student Code of Conduct, and the police department follows the Penal Code, both entities work in tandem to create the safest environment for students and employees. We are committed to evaluating the processes that are in place and understand there are opportunities for improving security measures throughout the district.
Ongoing efforts have been made to discuss campus concerns regarding recently implemented policing protocols. MISD held a district leadership meeting last week including a session focused specifically on MISD PD and campus relations. Discussions were held about ways the entities could work together and find a balance between traditional policing and policing in schools.
Recently, Lt. McKown and our principal supervisor over secondary schools worked to make some adjustments as the principals shared concerns with some of the changes that had been made and how they needed more support and officer presence. The Police Department, as with all district departments, have to be responsive to the needs of our campuses.
Enhancing safety and security is at the forefront of our efforts. There is a concerted focus on officer presence and visibility at campuses, deterring crime, and enforcing and upholding Texas law to its fullest. It takes a collaboration between administration and police in order to ensure the safety of our campuses.”
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