Austin, Texas — A major investigation by The New York Times and the San Antonio Express-News found that Texas school police officers have increasingly used force against students following a statewide expansion of campus policing after the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde.
The investigation identified more than 2,600 use-of-force incidents between January 2022 and December 2025 across districts that provided records. Reporters documented cases involving pepper spray, Tasers, physical takedowns, handcuffing, and arrests for behavior that often began as routine disciplinary issues.
Examples cited in the report include students being tackled during fights, restrained over vaping incidents, shocked with Tasers, and arrested following disputes with school staff. In one case, a 17-year-old student was repeatedly shocked with a Taser after attempting to retrieve house keys before leaving campus. In another, a 17-year-old honor student was arrested after a dispute involving a damaged $13 classroom doorbell.
Supporters of increased police presence argue that officers are essential for preventing violence and responding to threats. Texas now requires at least one armed officer on every public school campus and employs approximately 11,000 officers trained to work in schools, more than the total number of police officers in many states.
Critics contend that routine disciplinary matters are increasingly being handled by law enforcement rather than educators, leading to unnecessary arrests and physical confrontations. The investigation also found that Texas lacks a statewide system to routinely review school police use-of-force incidents.
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