US Law Enforcement Response, Time, Scale and Coordination (Galveston, TX)

Icelander · 02-17-2020, 06:36 PM

The 18 hours after the ambush of the prisoner transport in Galveston were a period where command of the law enforcement response was ambigious, with Galveston PD nominally the lead agency for the investigation, but both Texas DPS and the FBI treating that as a legal fiction while providing 'support' in the form of trying to run the investigation.

The Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force (GCVOFTF) was used as the temporary structure for the manhunt for escaped suspects and potential accessories, with the US Marshals leading the manhunt (by virtue of their primacy on the permanent GCVOFTF) and local Sheriff's Offices and police departments having personnel on that task force.

However, after the shootout aboard the container vessel Aqueronte in the waters of Galveston Bay, the law enforcement response will alter again and probably take the form of a special task force. I will roll whether the state government of Texas or federal law enforcement agencies win the turf battle for command of the task force, with the losers stuck with a subordinate support position.

What I was wondering, what kind of rank should the commander of such a task force be?

If he's from the Texas DPS, is he a CID or Texas Rangers Major of the local DPS command? Or the Regional Director of the Southeast Region, which includes Houston and Galveston? Even higher up? Or even possibly, just a Captain or even Lieutenant being considered for higher things and good with the media?

If a federal LEO, what kind of rank?

Assistant Special Agent in Charge? Higher? Lower?

02-17-2020, 06:36 PM	#26
Icelander Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Iceland*	Command of a Joint Task Force Covering Both Incidents The 18 hours after the ambush of the prisoner transport in Galveston were a period where command of the law enforcement response was ambigious, with Galveston PD nominally the lead agency for the investigation, but both Texas DPS and the FBI treating that as a legal fiction while providing 'support' in the form of trying to run the investigation. The Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force (GCVOFTF) was used as the temporary structure for the manhunt for escaped suspects and potential accessories, with the US Marshals leading the manhunt (by virtue of their primacy on the permanent GCVOFTF) and local Sheriff's Offices and police departments having personnel on that task force. However, after the shootout aboard the container vessel Aqueronte in the waters of Galveston Bay, the law enforcement response will alter again and probably take the form of a special task force. I will roll whether the state government of Texas or federal law enforcement agencies win the turf battle for command of the task force, with the losers stuck with a subordinate support position. What I was wondering, what kind of rank should the commander of such a task force be? If he's from the Texas DPS, is he a CID or Texas Rangers Major of the local DPS command? Or the Regional Director of the Southeast Region, which includes Houston and Galveston? Even higher up? Or even possibly, just a Captain or even Lieutenant being considered for higher things and good with the media? If a federal LEO, what kind of rank? Assistant Special Agent in Charge? Higher? Lower? __________________ Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela!