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Texas Parks and Wildlife Now Has a SWAT Team
Dallas Observer ^ | January 10, 2014 | Brantley Hargrove

Posted on 01/11/2014 8:57:42 PM PST by Altariel

The man in the photo to the left isn't a Ranger in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley. He's a Texas game warden, kitted out to check your deer tags or lead a paramilitary, kick-the-door-in assault on your tent. The militarization of every possible law enforcement entity in America is complete: Texas Parks and Wildlife now has a SWAT team.

The 25-man unit can deploy anywhere in the state within four hours, TPWD boasts, and is modeled after what military types call a "force multiplier," which basically means that these guys can shoot a bunch of bullets. At what, you ask? In this Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine story, they list potential missions like "border operations, dignitary protection or any sort of high-risk law enforcement, such as serving felony arrest warrants or hostage situations.

Stuff can get real down in the dusty arroyos of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Hell, a Mexican man on a burro might try to sell you a carved statuette. In fairness, a game warden's average suspect is usually carrying a high-powered rifle. But something tells me some of these guys couldn't wait to shuck those slacks and Stetsons and put on a fresh pair of BDU pants and a Kevlar helmet.

"We're steeped in tradition and very mindful of our past," said special ops chief Grahame Jones. "It's an important part of who we are, but we have to look to the future."

And the future is a camo AR. Now, if Texas truly intends to secede, it's got its own military force ready and waiting. We've even got a Navy! TPWD has 564 vessels, including a 65-foot gulf patrol ship, and gunboats mounted with .30 cal machine guns.


TOPICS: Local News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; donutwatch; swat; texas; tx
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1 posted on 01/11/2014 8:57:43 PM PST by Altariel
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To: Altariel

“Now, if Texas truly intends to secede, it’s got its own military force ready and waiting.”


2 posted on 01/11/2014 9:02:48 PM PST by max americana (fired liberals in our company last election, and I laughed while they cried (true story))
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To: Altariel
Life in the US gets weirder every damn day. :-(


3 posted on 01/11/2014 9:03:03 PM PST by Bobalu (The true secret to genius is in creativity, not in technical mechanics)
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To: Altariel

And they wonder why people are losing trust in the government.


4 posted on 01/11/2014 9:03:43 PM PST by Lurkina.n.Learnin (This is not just stupid, we're talking Democrat stupid here.)
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To: max americana

....waiting for those who intend to secede.


5 posted on 01/11/2014 9:10:11 PM PST by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Altariel

I see the logic of border related operations, however, will they even be allowed to defend themselves if they come under fire? I can see an ROE not unlike Iraq or Afghanistan applying to cartel and illegals. Of course dogs and civilians would not be subject to such an ROE.


6 posted on 01/11/2014 9:34:45 PM PST by Antihero101607
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To: Altariel

Back in the old days we called them “Possum Cops”. Now they’re well armed jack booted Nazis.


7 posted on 01/11/2014 9:40:56 PM PST by VerySadAmerican (".....Barrack, and the horse Mohammed rode in on.")
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To: Altariel
I long for a saner, calmer, less gestapo-ridden time.
Please let me off at Mayberry. (or perhaps Willoughby)


8 posted on 01/11/2014 9:50:05 PM PST by Bobalu (The true secret to genius is in creativity, not in technical mechanics)
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To: Antihero101607

I think we can ben tolerably certain that their ROE will encourage them to be ready and willing to defend themselves.

The question is: against whom will they really be unleashed?


9 posted on 01/11/2014 10:14:56 PM PST by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Altariel

They’re just setting up the stage..


10 posted on 01/11/2014 10:15:48 PM PST by max americana (fired liberals in our company last election, and I laughed while they cried (true story))
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To: Altariel
Be assured for them, going home safe at night comes far before the welfare of the peasants that pay their salaries............

Cross them at your peril, they are locked and loaded, and probably looking for some targets to play with their new toys on ..............

11 posted on 01/11/2014 10:23:46 PM PST by doorgunner69
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To: max americana
They’re just setting up the stage..

Exactly what I was thinking. Couldn't put it into a concise statement like you did. Kudos.

12 posted on 01/11/2014 11:13:34 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: Lurkina.n.Learnin

It’s Texas, maybe they are ready to surrender Falcon Lake to the Mexicans.


13 posted on 01/11/2014 11:18:03 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: Altariel
The question is: against whom will they really be unleashed?

Peace and freedom loving citizens. Constitutionalists, smaller government patriots, Tea Party activists, veterans. Do I need to go on? The government scum bags are just waiting for their Reichstag moment. Remember, they want to kill off 25 million Americans. I suspect most will be of European descent.

14 posted on 01/11/2014 11:21:00 PM PST by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Veteran, 70-71a)
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To: Altariel; All

Texas Game wardens have jurisdiction state wide and are just as much a peace officer as any state trooper. Game Wardens I have known are the outdoor type hunters and fishermen for the most part. They do have expertise in the wilderness that most leo’s do not have. Now, lets say you have fugitives on the run with like skills. Who would be the best to apprehend them. I am by far no JBT boot licker but I do have respect so far for the Texas Game wardens.


15 posted on 01/11/2014 11:36:34 PM PST by eastforker (Cruz for steam in 2016)
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To: eastforker

“Texas Game wardens have jurisdiction state wide and are just as much a peace officer as any state trooper. “

Actually, here in Texas, game wardens have more authority than peace officers or DPS officers. Texas game wardens can come on private property, open gates, enter buildings, open your refrigerator, etc, without a warrant. Having lived in west Texas and camped and hunted over much of that country I can tell you that it gets mighty spooky out there when alone sometimes. So, I don’t have any problem with Texas peace officers, including game wardens, arming up. And, having a trained SWAT team as a ready reserve doesn’t bother me either. Texas law enforcement is made up of “good guys” for the most part and are on the “right” side.


16 posted on 01/12/2014 4:20:36 AM PST by snoringbear (E.oGovernment is the Pimp,)
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To: snoringbear
Texas game wardens can come on private property, open gates, enter buildings, open your refrigerator, etc, without a warrant. .... And, having a trained SWAT team as a ready reserve doesn’t bother me either.

I think you need to go back and read what you wrote. If you do not have a problem with a SWAT team coming into your home and searching your stuff without a warrant, then the 4th Amendment is gone, and the Republic is lost.

17 posted on 01/12/2014 5:46:53 AM PST by beancounter13
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To: snoringbear

Perhaps you do not mind your rights being violated so long as you suppose they are violated by “the good guys”, but those with a better understanding of history view such a stance with a dim eye.


18 posted on 01/12/2014 6:17:28 AM PST by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Altariel

“Perhaps you do not mind your rights being violated so long as you suppose they are violated by “the good guys”, but those with a better understanding of history view such a stance with a dim eye.”

Umm, maybe I missed something, I re-read my posting on this and I don’t believe I mentioned anything about ceding my rights on anything. But, help me out please. What rights did I say I wouldn’t mind being violated?


19 posted on 01/12/2014 6:33:03 AM PST by snoringbear (E.oGovernment is the Pimp,)
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To: beancounter13

“I think you need to go back and read what you wrote. If you do not have a problem with a SWAT team coming into your home and searching your stuff without a warrant, then the 4th Amendment is gone, and the Republic is lost. “

Actually, you should be ashamed of yourself. You purposely photo-shopped my posting. My comment about warrants and arming up were two separate subjects and were not interconnected. Suggest you man up, acknowledge your shameful act, and apologize. You’ll feel better :)


20 posted on 01/12/2014 6:39:41 AM PST by snoringbear (E.oGovernment is the Pimp,)
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