What we know about how the Texas National Guard trains for protests, what they'll bring
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he's deploying 5,000 Texas National Guard members to cities with planned anti-Trump protests this weekend. Abbott said on social media those troops 'will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order.'
But how exactly the Texas National Guard will be used in cities, like Austin, is still relatively unclear, as the Texas Department of Public Safety and governor's office have maintained giving away those details could jeopardize the safety of their mission.
When asked about difference in training and tactics between Austin Police and state troops, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said he didn't know, 'but the quick comment that I would make is it's the difference between someone being trained to be in the military and someone being trained to provide law enforcement and be peace officers and we can all imagine what the difference is in that.'
A spokesperson for the Texas National Guard sent KXAN the following statement about how those troops train and what they will bring with them.
'The Texas National Guard routinely conducts civil disturbance training which encompasses defensive techniques, de-escalation, and rules for the use of force. Deployed units are equipped with riot gear, assigned weapons, and less-than-lethal devices.'
Dennis Farris, president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association said local law enforcement and National Guard members regularly train together — including here in Austin — to prepare for situations just like we'll see this weekend.
'It's not like this is the regular Army who's going to come in here as if they're invading a country, right. They're here as a force multiplier for the DPS and APD to a lesser extent,' Farris said.
The city of Austin made clear, they believe they have the law enforcement staffing to protect people and property this weekend without those additional forces.
'That's it, these are people that come in for the weekend, they get college money, they come and they serve their country and that's a fantastic thing but this community deserves well trained police officers, community and respect and that's what we have,' Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said.
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