HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The police chief of Hempstead ISD is off the job due to what the district says was insubordination and lack of integrity.
Gerald Robinson was terminated earlier this week. Hempstead ISD says the main factor in Robinson's termination was his failure to investigate a bus tampering incident that happened last month, thereby putting students in danger.
On Feb. 18, police say two people tampered with three Hempstead ISD school buses by cutting the air hoses to the buses' brake lines and left behind the body of a dead cat. The district's mechanics noticed hoses on two other buses had also been tampered with, though their brake hoses were still intact.
Surveillance video captured the two suspects.
Hempstead ISD released a statement Friday which read in part, "School officials do not take this incident lightly and continue to monitor the situation closely."
The district says it is working with local law enforcement agencies to find those responsible for the criminal act.
Robinson agreed to do an interview with Local 2, but then failed to show up at the scheduled time.
On his Facebook page, Robinson wrote, "Warning, Hempstead ISD is under attack. All students and staff need to be aware of what has happened and his happening in this district!!! I have become the latest victim to fall prey to these attacks! Details coming soon."
Anyone with information in the case is urged to call Waller County Crime Stoppers at 979-826-8266.