Texas DPS Ghost Units Undermine Public Trust

The deployment of “ghost units” by Texas DPS, blacked-out, nearly unmarked SUVs is deeply troubling. These covert patrols resemble tactics used by unmarked federal agents deployed during the Trump administration’s protests crackdown, where masked officers with no identification grabbed citizens off the street. These are not hallmarks of democratic law enforcement. They are tactics of intimidation and control. For years, law enforcement professionals have worked to build transparency and community trust. Ghost units do the opposite. They rely on secrecy, surprise, and fear, undermining public confidence and making Texans feel watched, not protected. Studies show that visible enforcement and clear accountability do more to reduce crime and improve safety than covert operations. We demand an end to these shadow tactics. Return to visible, community-oriented policing that upholds the values of a free society. Stop spending public dollars on stealth and fear. Invest in safety Texans can see and trust.