TV Show: Dallas SWAT on A&E

[Paladin]

The new show premiered last night. I read some bad reviews, but it wasn't too bad. It's an interesting look at what Dallas SWAT is and does.

http://www.aetv.com/dallas_swat/

Did anybody else see it?

[ghentry]

Yes, I watched it. I don't know if it can compete with the COPS of old though since they can't rush in with cameras to actually see the team in action. You see everything up until the time of entry, then you only hear what happens.

That one guy with the hurt foot was a little annoyingly arrogant and seemed to play himself up to the camera.

[Paladin]

Yeah, it just isn't the same kind of show as COPS.

But I thought it was cool that the Texas SWAT teams are ranked pretty high in the international competition. Wish they showed more details about what the SWAT competition was like. They only gave glimpses.

[ghentry]

That was impressive that San Antonio and Dallas were close to/at the top.

[rgoldy]

I watched most of the show that was on Sat evening. Maybe it is just my personality, but I have to say that the two apparent lead characters came across as something other than real. The one sargeant is so intent on winning the SWAT competitions that he would jeopardize his on duty usefulness to compete. He is WAY to proud of the plaques and medals from the competition. The other guy comes across as professional when on the job, but self centered and vain otherwise.
I do not intend to imply that the Dallas SWAT guys are not good at what they do. I cannot evaluate that aspect. I am aware that when the producers of this type of programming chose the "leads" they will most likely select the more "colorful" personalities. Lets hope that in this case these guys do not represent the norm of SWAT in Dallas or elsewhere.
I saw little to recommend this program in terms of SWAT operations, or of drama on duty.

[flintknapper]

I watched most of the show that was on Sat evening. Maybe it is just my personality, but I have to say that the two apparent lead characters came across as something other than real. The one Sargent is so intent on winning the SWAT competitions that he would jeopardize his on duty usefulness to compete. He is WAY to proud of the plaques and medals from the competition. The other guy comes across as professional when on the job, but self centered and vain otherwise.
I do not intend to imply that the Dallas SWAT guys are not good at what they do. I cannot evaluate that aspect. I am aware that when the producers of this type of programming chose the "leads" they will most likely select the more "colorful" personalities. Lets hope that in this case these guys do not represent the norm of SWAT in Dallas or elsewhere.
I saw little to recommend this program in terms of SWAT operations, or of drama on duty.

+1

I was unimpressed.

[txinvestigator]

Remmeber to get a 1 hour show they have to film HOURS. A&E edits and chooses what to air. On a local talk radio show one of the SWAT members said that DPD brass accepted the offer from A&E to do the show, and basically mandated participation to the team.

The member on the radio gave no opinion as to his feelings about it.

Overall I liked it.

[Lumberjack98]

I liked the show.

[Paladin]

Saw the 2nd episode, and I think it was better than the first. Dallas SWAT is on that Texas SWAT show too.

You can really see the difference between Dallas and Irving SWAT. The Dallas guys really are pros. They have intelligent plans and execute them well. Steve Claggett's intelligence and experience really shows through after a while. The Irving SWAT guys don't seem to plan or execute as well, and their plan seems to not work out quite right about 50% of the time... at least from what's shown.

[flintknapper]

Saw the 2nd episode, and I think it was better than the first. Dallas SWAT is on that Texas SWAT show too..

I saw the second one as well, and I agree it was much better than the first.

I'm not sure its an entirely "wise" thing to broadcast their various tools/techniques/tactics. But......if they're comfortable with it, I guess I am too.


Still like "Cops" better!

[Paladin]

Talk about reality TV! This stuff is for real. Four officers shot?! I wonder if it was anybody in the show? Good to hear that they are all in good condition. Hope they all have a quick and full recovery.

http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/stor ... Id=1159511

"Four Dallas Police Officers Shot

Thursday, February 16, 2006 12:22 p.m. ET

DALLAS (AP) -- Four police officers were shot early Thursday while helping to serve a federal drug warrant at a home.

All four were hospitalized in good condition, Sr. Cpl. Jamie Kimbrough said.

Police were serving a warrant for the Drug Enforcement Administration when officers approached a home in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in an armored personnel carrier, police Lt. Rick Watson said. After they announced the raid on a loudspeaker, someone inside the home opened fire, he said.

Four officers who were not inside the armored vehicle were hit, and the armored vehicle moved between them and the gunfire so they could be pulled to safety, Watson said.

Four people were taken into custody, including a person who was injured and a 10-year-old boy, who was not hurt.

Kimbrough said she didn't know what police found inside the home. "

-----------------------------

Another article:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... f8ba9.html

[Paladin]

Another article:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 68cc8.html

[longtooth]

I just don't watch TV. Think most of it is the biggest waste of time in the US today so havenot seen it. rgoldy your observation of the character on TV is the same as mine about the only SWAT member of the SAN A. PD that I have met. My son was part of a USAF EST team that is the only Military SWAT team to be asked to compete with those guys. One of the men on the team was a reserve called up after 9-11 & was SAPD SWAT. I went to a two day competition they had in Beaumont several years ago. You hit it on the head. My description of him in conversation w/ son was arrogant.

[Paladin]

Watched the new episode of Dallas SWAT last week.

They showed another drug house raid. They pulled a number of badguys out of the house. Unlike most of their other raids, these gangbangers actually had a pretty respectable amount of guns. Several full size semi-autos... one looked like a Glock .40 cal, a large revolver (.357 or .44?), and some kind of AK with a thumbhole stock and drum mag.

The officer walking out of the house with the AK/drum loaded was like "OKAY, which one of you GUN FREAKS wants to clear this?"

At first I was kind of offended, like "dude, it's gun nuts... thank you very much "

But then I thought... hey half those SWAT guys he was talking to ARE gun nuts... that's pretty cool!