The Texas Department of Public Safety is recognizing the continued service and evolution of the Capitol Area Strike Team (CAST), a specialized team dedicated to protecting the Texas State Capitol, safeguarding dignitaries, managing large-scale crowds and providing rapid response capabilities when needed.
The foundation for the CAST was established on September 1, 2021. It’s a rapidly deployable, multi-situational response team primarily assigned to the Texas State Capitol and surrounding property. Its mission centers on maintaining a safe environment for lawmakers, state employees, visitors, dignitaries and the public while remaining prepared to respond to emerging threats and operational needs.
“The Capitol Area Strike Team represents the professionalism, preparation and adaptability that are essential to protecting the people and institutions of Texas,” says Capitol Region Chief Ralph Ohland. “The specialized training and ability to rapidly deploy allow them to meet a wide range of security and public-safety needs.”
The team’s primary responsibilities include:
- Capitol Grounds Security and Rapid Response: Providing a highly visible, rapidly deployable response capability throughout the Texas State Capitol and adjacent grounds. CAST conducts high-visibility patrols as a deterrent and remains prepared to rapidly respond to violent, dynamic or emerging threats that exceed the routine preventive security posture of the Capitol Detail.
- Dignitary Protection and Counterassault: Providing specialized dignitary protection and counterassault support for elected officials, government leaders and other designated dignitaries at the State Capitol and throughout Texas when requested by the chain of command or appropriate partner division. This team has been assigned to assist with the protection of visiting dignitaries from Sweden, Norway, England, Israel, Malta, Singapore, and Ireland.
- Crowd Management and Civil Disturbance Response: Providing specialized crowd management and civil disturbance response at the State Capitol and surrounding areas, with the capability to rapidly deploy specialized personnel, equipment, lethal and less-lethal resources, drone support and medical capabilities in response to large gatherings, contentious demonstrations, protests or civil unrest.
- Counterassault and Active Threat Response: Maintaining a dedicated, highly trained, and equipped counterassault capability during legislative sessions and other high-level governmental meetings and events. CAST is prepared to rapidly respond to armed or violent attacks against protected persons or others within the Capitol complex.
- Rapid Deployment and Specialized Incident Response: Serving as a rapidly deployable, multi-situational response team capable of supporting the Capitol Region and deploying elsewhere when requested to address complex, rapidly developing, or specialized incidents.
As the Texas Legislature prepares to convene in January, the Capitol Area Strike Team stands ready to protect the Texas State Capitol, its grounds, and those who work and gather there. Team members will maintain a vigilant security posture focused on detecting, deterring and responding to potential threats while supporting the safe and orderly conduct of legislative business.
Please join DPS in thanking the members of the CAST for their continued commitment to protecting and serving the people of Texas. Their dedication, professionalism and readiness to respond help ensure the safety and security of the Texas Capitol and Texas leadership.
