Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks was named to Gov. Greg Abbott’s School Safety Roundtable Series. Chief Banks participated in the first day of discussion on May 22, which featured government, education, and law enforcement leaders and focused on how to improve security in Texas school districts. Chief Banks returned to the Capitol on June 12 to participate in the Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Safety.

For his participation in both events, Chief Banks was interviewed by NPR’s All Things Considered and Spectrum News’ Capital Tonight.

Chief Banks was invited in part for his efforts to assist Round Rock ISD to form its own police department. Gov. Abbott held the sessions in response to the shooting at a high school in Sante Fe, Texas that claimed the lives of ten people and injured 13 others.

Day two of the series focused on gun regulation and mental health, while the third day featured victims and family members from the Sante Fe and Sutherland Springs mass shootings. Discussions were held May 22-24 in the Governor’s Public Reception Room at the Texas Capitol.

“I am seeking the best solutions to make our schools more secure and to keep our communities safe,” Gov. Abbott said. “I look forward to hearing from all sides of the debate, and from expert perspectives on these issues. Working together, we can ensure a safe learning environment for students and safer communities for all Texans.”