Posted: 5/8/2008 8:10:03 AM EDT
I understand one for a marksmen rifle or such but for pistols? Sounds like they want some toys. |
No, they were created as peace officers of this state and their primary function in most counties are the court paperwork. Harris County Constable's Dept's don't have SWAT nor is it needed. If we need SWAT we call Houston PD. |
I would say their primary fucntion in Dallas county is to write traffic tickets. |
I can't speak for Dallas County since I don't know shit about them. I can say working for an elected official has its drawbacks. |
 That was the first thing I noticed. HEY, how did they get those for so cheap?<--------still saving his pennies for the stamp and a AAC or maybe HTG |
| In the history of man, we have done battle for some really simple things, be it on a personal level or global. Someone wants to take my land, my money or personal property or my women. If I'm correct, when a Constable shows up on you door step it could mean all or any of the above. Eviction, divorce decree, or seizure of property all fits that bill. No thanks, it sounds like a simple job but it could go to shit real fast for the untrained. I just want in on the deal for $126.00, maybe we can get a group buy.........As to calling them a SWAT team, that might be a stretch. |
Read the Texas Constitution AND the Texas Local Government code. Both specifically state that the Constables are to serve civil and criminal process, and to bailiff the JP courts. In fact, they are required to; "execute and return as provided by law each process, warrant, and precept that is directed to the constable and is delivered by a lawful officer" and "attend each justice court held in the precinct." I am well aware that they have full LE authority in the entire state; however,having SWAT teams and doing traffic is a duplication of effort. |
So true and all comments..For those that don't know, Roma Skinner was a Class 3 dealer for many years and 1 of my Mac's belonged to him at one time..He is very class 3 friendly, for those that live in his jurisdiction (hint-hint)..As far as the SWAT goes, I am sure that it is funded somewhere and somehow by Homeland Security..There was probably some funding out there and they went after it..Not based on fact , just a guess..Although in all my divorces, not once was SWAT called to serve me i am proud to say... |
...and go research the history of Constable's in the state of Texas. |
|
The constables in North Texas have become somewhat of a joke. I've heard very interesting stories from a couple of counties up here and it is alarming. It will amaze you how little it takes to become one of these officers and it appears some have very limited supervision. I'm also not a fan of Dallas County allowing these guys to run traffic or perform SWAT duties. Depending on the county, some of these guys have unchecked power and spend taxpayers money on unnecessary purchases like this. Some don't even show up for work but still collect a pay check. The wonders of political office. Acting as an officer of the court and serving document is boring so these guys have found a way to sex up their jobs by providing assistance to the local LE community. And, yes, one of these constables does operate a "SWAT" team. |
This is the standard line I keep hearing. Do they teach that the first day on the job? |
Glad i have not met the ones you know..I know more in other fields of LE than I do in the Constable's Office but the ones that I know there are very professional as well as knowledgeable in their field and I would have no problem having them watch my 6..Sorry you have had problems with some but don't judge them all by the few.. |
Read articles over the years regarding Dallas constables (not deputies) getting canned for doing very questionable things. Recent history shows Denton County constable busted for inappropriate behavior with minor then forcably removed because Texas law did not have a clause for this and loser refused to quit but instead fought for his job/pay while in jail in Colorado. And many background stories I was given by a certain individual that was in the know with Ellis/Dallas/Tarrant constable offices/practices. Others that wouldn't show up for work, have side jobs while they were claiming to be working for us, not doing their jobs after losing primary elections knowing their jobs were secure for another six months... Sadly, based on where you live, you might very well know one of these guys and he's a joke but does a very good job playing the party line. I'm sure some of the deputies are stand up guys but I question LE leadership under a political environment. The more I learned about the political process for certain constable offices in DFW the more concerned I became with this elected office in general. I personally wouldn't trust any of these guys or any LE with my 6, that is why I have a CHL and keep my nose clean. |
I thought they worked under the County Judge, like officers work for the Chief. So they would not be a CLEO, only a LEO. I've also never read anywhere a constable could sign. DA, Judge sure, but never a constable. |
Some have taken on other tasks. Constables in Dallas County are also used on narcotics raids. Its been said that this particular Constable SWAT team is serving to take up the slack for DPD, maybe until DCSO gets their SWAT Team, but I dont know how much of that is truth or speculation. VOTE AGAINST LUPE VALDEZ! DCSO has the ARs, she wont let em form up a team, or give them the ARs. |
Yeah, well unfortunately we have the bad apples in any LE agency. We can all find stories, from any agency, about the bad ones. Those are the ones we hear about. You don't hear about the good ones. |
Stories of good, heroic cops are everywhere. I found this link on Google faster than I can dump 31 rounds from my Glock 18C: Hero Cops |
|
He has a web page, and it is pretty well done, Flash, etc. Wonder why he does not run for Sheriff.... Dallas County Constable Precinct 4 The S.R.T. was formed in April of 2001. Precinct Four is the only Constable's Department to have a specialized response team. The team was formed in response to a need to have a group of specially trained deputies that would be able to handle situations such as hazardous apprehensions, barricaded persons and hostage rescues. The team is currently made up of 8 dedicated deputies. These deputies train every week in order to perfect their skills.  |
Wow...I didn't know that. |
Just take the suppressor off before the coppers confiscate your gun as evidence. That was taught at the last MAST course... oh yeah that's right... Nevermind.  *Disclaimer*Just kidding dude. That was NOT taught at a MAST course. It was not even discussed at a MAST class. I was just joking. Please don't kill me. |
Which do you hear more about on the news? |
Yup |
I have no knowledge what these guys capabilities are but that pic made me LOL |
|
Our LE are becoming more militarized at an alarming rate, taking away the power to protect from us citizens. There is no need for this many SWAT teams to "protect" me and my family. Local law enforcement needs to train more on active shooter scenario than prolonged combat which they are woefully unprepared for. And while we're at it, why have I never seen the Dallas constables office in action the 7 years they've been in existence? These guys need to get back to the basics and do their intended jobs not play GI Joe on the taxpayers' dime. Sadly, Dallas County sees their constables better serve as revenue generators so I'd be willing to say more of the traditional process services are going to 3rd parties. Texas needs to seriously look at eliminating this elected office and place these duties under the courts/sheriff, respectively. I'd prefer a professional over political law enforcement official any day. Police chief screws up, he gets canned. Constable does the same, nothing. And if these guys are politically savy, incompetent Constables can stay in office indefinitely. |
|
If a constable fucks up, he does indeed get shitcanned. I believe Precinct 4(I may be wrong on the number) had the Constable removed by the state for various reasons. As recent as 2 or 3 weeks ago a man shot at, and was killed br a DCCO deputy. I dont understand why some have an issue with Constables set up in school zones, escorting emergancy vehicles, etc. Calling them revenue generators? Its the same old bitch when someone doesnt like cops giving tickts. Dont like it, dont break the law. Ask a Dallas cop how long it takes DPD SWAT to show up to an actual high risk scenario. Seriously, ask them. If, and that my be a big if, these guys can get to a seen faster because they are in cars, why not? I wonder if the same folks who are gripeing about this SRT would gripe about 1.)D/FW Airport having a police frce, and 2.)Also having a SWAT team. |
Actually, YES, I also have an issue with DFW police giving tickets on 635. I don't see Love Field police running traffic on Mockingbird or NW Hwy. Please correct me if I'm wrong. |
Because they are Constables (Officers of the Court), not the Police. |
They are law enforcement officers, peace officers in the State of Texas |
| They are Peace Officers and as such can arrest, issue citations, etc. After the DPD officer was killed by the guy with the probation violation, there was a push to get more DSO guys out there looking for probation violators. Lupe Valdez said they were shorthanded. Many Constables offered to help. As a result, you have a proliferation of "S.W.A.T." teams, "Entry teams", etc. being made created by the Constables. This translates into revenue forthe precinct. Much like the traffic units do. The bottom line as usual is they generate money. |
No one said they weren't. |
Actually I do see Love field police writing tickets on NW Hwy and Mockingbird. DPD works Love Field for police protection and DFD works fire/EMT duties. Roma is a good guy. I have known him for about 20 years and he is very proactive with his department. He is a cops cop and works hard to get equipment and training for his officers. I wish he would run for Sheriff so I could work for him. A little side note on Roma, he goes to parole hearings for inmates that are out of his district to argue for the victims family. One parolee was rejected by the board because they Roma's car in the parking lot and knew he would be arguing his case. The car in the parking lot was similar to Roma's but not his. I thought that was pretty cool that some criminal's parole went down the drain because of a car in the visitors parking lot looked like Skinners. |
During the last election, a candidate for Constable came to our community club meeting and read a wikipedia article to us about that history. The whole article. I'm not sure if boring the constituency to death will hurt an election, but he didn't win.As for the $126 cans, must be Tactical Innovations.
|
D/FW Airport extends north of 635, so they do have jurisdiction. As for your Love Field issue, sgtglock addressed that pretty well. |
You just said they werent police! They are, police are known as peace officers, and they, Contables(and Deputy Constables) hold TCLOSE liscenses....for peace officers. What you are trying to do is play semantics. |
Not arguing jurisdiction, just questioning purpose of their job. I have a fundamental belief that airport police should are best used to protect the airport, not generate revenue on adjoining highways. I'd feel much safer knowing that I had qualified LE at the airport to protect me. DPD Love Field officers running traffic on NW HWY is suspect to say the least, but I've only worked in that part of town 5+ years without incident. DCCO running traffic on the east side of Love Field is another issue. Curious why I never see them on the west side of the airport. Just because constable deputies are LE certified does not give them freedom to act as the local police. They have a designated job title that should keep them busy working for the judges. |