UCISD PD chief Arredondo happy to be home

Melissa Federspill

Staff writer

For Pete Arredondo, new Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District chief of police, Uvalde is his hometown. It’s a place he describes as a fantastic community where he was born, raised and grew up going to class, graduating from Uvalde High School in 1990. With a little more than a month on the job under his belt, he says he’s glad to be back here serving the community.

For the last few years, Arredondo has been working in Laredo as a police captain at United Independent School District.

“When I heard about the opening at UCISD, I didn’t even have to think twice about applying,” said Arredondo while reflecting that during his job interview for the chief position, he recalled the many UCISD educators that had made a good impact on his life.

“I made sure to mention them in my interview,” said Arredondo during a recent telephone conversation.

Following his graduation from UHS, he went on to graduate from Southwest Texas Junior College, and eventually Texas A&M Commerce with a degree in organizational management. His first job after graduating from the SWTJC law enforcement academy in 1993 was as a 911 dispatcher for the Uvalde Police Department.

Throughout his 16 years with UPD, he held multiple roles.

“I worked patrol, worked as detective, …and received assignment as assistant chief, ” said Arredondo. He’s since worked in various roles at Webb County Sheriff’s Office, and United ISD, and is bringing more than 25 years of experience to UCISD.

“It’s nice to come back home,” said Arredondo, who has family here. In his capacity at UCISD, he is looking forward to fostering positive relationships, being out in the community, working with his staff and students. Although he is new to the department, Arredondo said he’s worked with two of the officers in the department in the past, and he is proud of the work the department has done.

He said assimilation into his new role has benefited from the good communication within the department.

“All four of us are on a group text,” said Arredondo, “…they are very knowledgeable, and I encourage them to give ideas.”

“Of course, my title is important, but having a good group is also important,” Arredondo said. “If not, you can surely fail.”

Going forward, he says the department will continue to be proactive, be visible, and help educate.

“I’m a big advocate of education and training,” said Arredondo. “We can never have enough training.”

While the campuses are currently closed to students, he says the UCISD police department is still on the job.

“We might not have students, but we have some employees working – if there is one working, we are working,” Arredondo said. During the closure, he said they are still maintaining a schedule, working campuses, and making sure they are available to the staff while they are on campus. He said they’re also patrolling to make sure groups are not congregating on campuses. On food distribution days, they are aiding in traffic control.

“We want to make sure we are available wherever we are needed,” Arredondo said.