The History of SWAT in Texas and TTPOA

The Debrief with Jon Becker

The evolution of special tactics in the United States is a complicated story whose roots lie in the violent social and political environment of the late 1960s. Highly unusual and televised events like the Texas tower sniper in 1966 and the Munich Massacre in 1972 created the need to develop special units to respond to events that were beyond the capabilities of patrol officers. While Southern California often receives all the credit for the development of special tactics, because of the efforts of LAPD D-Platoon and LASD SEB, it is important to understand that the west coast was not the only region trying to develop special tactics teams. In fact, by the early 1980's there were numerous regions who were all following parallel paths of development albeit in different stages. In these regions, tactical associations began to form that were focused on sharing information and training among agencies. One of these early associations was the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA) which was formed in 1984 and this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary. This seemed a perfect time to do an episode on the evolution and history of SWAT in Texas as well as the history and impact of TTPOA.
My guests today are three influential figures in TTPOA.
Lt. Dan Colasanto is the current president of TTPOA. Dan is a 30-year veteran of the Garland Police Department with 28 of those years spent on the SWAT team. Dan has worked in Patrol, Narcotics and SWAT and is also a graduate of the United States Military Academy and an Army veteran. In February 2021, Dan earned a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security with a Concentration in Counter-Terrorism from American Military University. Dan was the SWAT Team Supervisor during the May 3, 2015 ISIS inspired terrorist attack in Garland, TX. Dan also serves as the Intelligence and Terrorism Chair for the NTOA.
Paul Ford has experience spanning both government and private sectors. Paul's diverse roles include being a police officer, instructor, writer, publisher, developer of numerous police training programs, and sales and marketing executive. Paul began his law enforcement career in 1985, assuming roles in patrol, SWAT, and as a detective. Paul spent almost a decade on the Austin Texas SWAT team serving as the unit's training coordinator and team leader. He is the recipient of more than 60 commendations, including three for meritorious conduct. In the 1990s, Paul played a pivotal role in reshaping and expanding TTPOA where he served as Secretary, Vice President, and Editor of Command Magazine. His dedication earned him the Association’s prestigious Excellence Award in 1999. In 2001 Paul transitioned to the private sector where he has held positions at Defense Technology and he is currently the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CSI, known for their CTS and Penn Arms brands.
Sandy Wall is a true legend in Texas tactical community. Sandy spent 28 years with the Houston police department, 22 of which was on Houston SWAT. Sandy is a recipient of the TTPOA Excellence award, the TTPOA lifetime achievement award, and the National Police Associations Top Cop for the State of Texas. He has also received the Houston Police Department Chief's commendation for valor and the officer of the year award. Sandy has served three times as the president of TTPOA. He has also written two books, invented the Wall Banger system, and has taught and testified as an expert all over the United States.
Contact Info:
TTPOA Website - TTPOA
Dan Colesanto – [e-mail]
Paul Ford – Email - [e-mail] - linkedin.com/in/paul-f-7b581214
Sandy Wall - [e-mail].