Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Grits for Breakfast

Criminal Law

: Grits for Breakfast

Do small police agencies need redundant SWAT capacity? Budget crisis changing the debate

With the TV show Dallas SWAT, the Dallas PD's SWAT team gained national fame, but less attention has been paid to the fact that, according to Ed Timms at the Dallas News ("Dallas County constables, others keep little-used tactical units," Dec. 20):Over the years, several law enforcement agencies in Dallas County have formed tactical teams, including municipal police departments, the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, the Dallas Independent School District's police force and local constables.Typically the officers have duties in addition to serving on such teams.One would expect the Dallas PD and even the Sheriff to have SWAT capacity. But in the past decade, many smaller agencies have gotten into the game - sort of an urban version of what Radley Balko calls "militarizing Mayberry...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on December 20, 2009 (boomark / email).