#TXLEGE: Apparently, the State of Texas has NO STANDARDS FOR SWAT TEAMS

Note: This photo came from the Odessa PD's website;
that frickin' Odesssa has a 30 man SWAT team perfectly illustrates the problem

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God."
Matthew 5:9

[Note on Bible verse: Jesus says peacemakers...not wreckless, macho, jackwagons.]

From TPPF:

SWAT teams are sometimes a necessity, and because of the nature of the incidents they are properly used for, team formation, training, and use should be required to meet a minimum standard throughout Texas.

Key Points:

• SWAT is a necessity for the highest risk, mostly pre-planned incidents where patrol officers are not equipped to respond. 

• The lack of state standards for training and capabilities should be addressed.

• If parameters can be established for police officers who perform policing functions that can vary drastically in different parts of the state, then basic definitions, requirements, and parameters can also be established for SWAT teams whose specialty is far more focused and narrow than the broader policing effort. 

• Best practices have been established by the National Tactical Officers Association and should be used to guide the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement in establishing state-level minimum standards.

From a fiscal perspective, imagine how much all this costs.

You can find a link to download a PDF of the full report here.

Bottom Line: We don't discuss criminal justice issues often, but this is madness....