What I’m Reading

November 18, 2022

ICYMI

Why I think the ouster of Chris Magnus from the CBP is another sign of law enforcement (e.g. sheriffs) ousting people who try to change the status quo.

There are no progressive sheriffs.

Readings

Amanda Chicago Lewis wrote a great long piece about the troublesome history of the Department of Homeland Security. It’s my favorite kind of story, one that takes history and analysis seriously without feeling overly-obliged to be “timely.”

Isaac Stone Simonelli wrote about the change in Arizona rules that will allow the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association to conduct certified training to Arizona law enforcement officials. For background: Why most police trainers are terrible.

Melissa Del Bosque wrote an excellent piece highlighting Kinney County as the “poster child” for Texas’s Operation Lone Star.

Why wasn’t this Arizona cop charged with a DUI?

The Tehama County Sheriff’s Office says they are understaffed and can no longer conduct patrols. The deputy union blames the Board of Supervisors. But, what if the idea of sufficient staffing is just another prison industrial complex construct? Who decides staffing? What if it is all just rank speculation? There aren’t real studies on this because police propaganda, but law enforcement staffing isn’t done by any real work-per-load method, and sheriffs, in particular, can staff people any way they want. (Hence Dar Leaf puts one detective full-time on “elections.”)

Listening

I started the Texas Monthly podcast “White Hats,” which covers the oft-troublesome history of the Texas Rangers. Thus far, I highly recommend the two episodes, which cover the history and mis-history well.