CBS Atlanta 46Concerns raised over promotion of Fulton Co. Schools police chief

Some people in the Fulton County School System are questioning the district's decision to promote a police captain to chief.

Fulton County Schools Police Chief Felipe Usury was the same officer who admittedly didn't investigate allegations of abuse against special needs students in the school system.

New district Superintendent Robert Avossa claimed Usury was a proven leader with a long history of law enforcement leadership. 

However, attorney Kris Vance, who represents one of the abused students, said Usury's behavior appeared to be business as usual for Fulton County Schools.

"Cpt. Usury testified at the hearing that he had to follow orders - even as a police officer - he had to follow orders," Vance said.

Vance said she was worried because Usury was the same officer who learned about horrific abuse of special needs students at Hallowell Middle School and didn't pursue it. But in testimony given back in Nov. 2011, Usury said he was following orders.

"That's what my superior instructed me to do. I was not given the authority to go any further," said Usury.

Vance said she wanted to know if promoting Usury to chief would prevent potential cases of student abuse.  So CBS Atlanta News took the Tough Questions to Avossa.

"We are confident that with the training we've given to our principals and staff, that we've got procedures in place to keep kids safe" Avossa said.

Avossa said the school district's policies had been revised to make reporting abuse easier.  But Vance still questioned how the abuse fell through the cracks in the first place.

CBS Atlanta News asked Avossa if an officer of Usury's caliber should have needed to be reminded of district policy to report abuse.

"I can't speak to the direct issues you are addressing," Avossa said. "But as new superintendent, I know that there's a need to put into place the kinds of structures to keep our families feeling confident in our ability to keep their children safe."

Vance was not happy with the superintendent's answer. She said she planned to file complaints with the  U.S. Education Department and the U.S. Justice Department to intervene.

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