I agree it is courtesy to advise local LE, and that often folks dont respond as well to plain clothes agents as they do to uniformed officers. My only points was that the writer said local law enforcement is "required" to be close by....making it sound like since the BATF aren't Texas Peace Officers, that they NEED us in order to do their business, which would be incorrect. They can arrest people just as fast with no Texas LEO present as they can when we areThe way I am reading your highlighted info above, is to act as backup. Surprisingly, some folks do not respond well to a guy with a windbreaker that says "Special Agent" or something similar. Simple folks like the uniform and car with all the flashy lights. I get called to backup Marshals and other agencies often. It is also a professional courtesy to have the local PD involved.
For federal crimes and state felonies, maybe. But not for state misdemeanors. Trespassing along with many state weapons offenses are such misdemeanors. So in addition to acting as familiar-looking backup, having Texas peace officers as backup allows arrests for a much broader range of offenses.They can arrest people just as fast with no Texas LEO present as they can when we are
There is no "maybe"...they CAN arrest for Federal crimes and state felonies, but BATF is at gun shows looking for Federal gun violations (felonies), they typically aren't looking for misdemeanors or trespassers...that's what APD is there for.For federal crimes and state felonies, maybe. But not for state misdemeanors. Trespassing along with many state weapons offenses are such misdemeanors. So in addition to acting as familiar-looking backup, having Texas peace officers as backup allows arrests for a much broader range of offenses.
There is no "maybe"...they CAN arrest for Federal crimes and state felonies, but BATF is at gun shows looking for Federal gun violations (felonies), they typically aren't looking for misdemeanors or trespassers...that's what APD is there for.
My original post was in reference to this line:
"When the agent is working, local law enforcement is required to be close-by to act as back-up."
My only point was that Feds dont need locals present to do their job.
I agree...I guess not technically but it is smart too. I can technically question on immigration status etc but we do not do that by policy.
The Feds will sometimes go do an investigation solo but I assure you they much prefer to have uniform on scene, at minimum so that we can do the dirty work or them .
Until they can pack in the same vendors, or better, that SAXET had I really don't think its worth the cover charge to go to the show no matter where its located in Austin.
On the bright side, the crowds are a lot smaller than they are at the SAXET shows!
So are the pickings!