Senior cop blasts schools chief for 'trying to cover up sex crimes'

A senior Texas police officer has accused a school superintendent of trying to cover up allegations that four teachers had sex with pupils by investigating the crimes himself.

Stan Standridge, Abilene Police Chief, said local school superintendent Heath Burns interrogated staff himself before involving police, and has tried to trip up investigators ever since.

Mr Standridge also accused Mr Burns of censoring his complaints after he was barred from a school board meeting on Monday, where he planned to discuss his concerns with trustees.

Police began their inquiries into the Abilene Independent Schools District in December last year after Michael Trook, 29, the dean of Holland Medical High School, was arrested.

Trook has since admitted having sex with a 17-year-old pupil in his office on December 10 last year and has left his post at the school.

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