Justin Walker: Phoenix Swat Sniper

THE REALITY OF MODERN LAW ENFORCEMENT: A CONVERSATION WITH JUSTIN WALKER In a world where law enforcement is increasingly politicized and scrutinized, what does it really mean to serve on a major city’s SWAT team? On The Ryan McMillan Show, we sat down with Justin Walker, a former Phoenix SWAT sniper, to discuss his two decades in law enforcement, the challenges of policing in a major metropolitan area, and his transition into the private sector.   

FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL TO SWAT SNIPER Justin Walker’s journey into law enforcement started after playing college football. With a desire to be part of a high-performance team, he was drawn to Phoenix PD’s Special Assignments Unit (SAU), the city’s SWAT team. “I knew coming out of college that I wanted to get on a SWAT team,” he said. “It was a way to get back into that team sport environment, working with good dudes that push hard and are just in it.” Walker spent most of his career as a sniper, eventually running Phoenix’s sniper program. While many officers are drawn to the adrenaline of breaching doors, he appreciated the solitude and tactical independence of the sniper role. “You don’t get told exactly where to go. It’s up to you to figure out the best way to get eyes on the target and complete the mission,” he explained.       

POLICING IN A POLITICIZED ERA Walker acknowledges that while law enforcement has always faced challenges, recent years have seen unprecedented levels of scrutiny. “There’s always been nonsense in law enforcement, but now it’s way more publicized and politicized,” he said. One of the biggest topics we discussed was the Phoenix Police Department’s battle with a proposed federal consent decree. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been pushing for increased oversight, citing alleged civil rights violations and excessive force. However, many officers—including Walker—see it as a political and financial overreach that will do more harm than good. “The city turned over 179,000 documents, 20 terabytes of data, 22,000 body cam videos, and allowed 200 hours of DOJ ride-alongs. Does that sound like a department that has something to hide?” Walker asked.   

COVID, POLITICS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Another topic we explored was the impact of COVID-19 policies on law enforcement. While some cities imposed strict mandates and operational changes, Walker’s SWAT team largely resisted. “We still had a job to do. The crime didn’t stop just because of COVID,” he said. “We had physical fitness standards and health checks already. Our leadership basically said, ‘You guys are adults—do what you need to do.’” He noted the irony of government policies that initially restricted officers’ actions due to health concerns but then pushed them back onto the streets when riots and civil unrest erupted. “It was like, ‘Social distance unless we need you. Then it’s game on,’” Walker said.   

SECRET SERVICE, TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, AND TACTICAL FAILURES We also discussed the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump and what it revealed about the state of executive protection in the U.S. Walker, with his experience in counter-sniper operations, was stunned by the security lapses. “For someone to get that close to a presidential candidate with a rifle—it’s a massive failure,” he said. “There should have been perimeter security and better inter-agency communication.” Walker shared insights into the bureaucratic and political challenges that often undermine operational effectiveness. “Secret Service guys are squared away, but they don’t always get to call the shots. A lot of decisions come from higher-ups who aren’t tactical experts,” he explained.   

THE BIGGER PICTURE: SOCIETY, GOVERNMENT, AND THE FUTURE Beyond law enforcement, we dove into broader societal issues, including the growing power of the federal government, the erosion of personal freedoms, and the increasing division in American politics. “People have become so dependent on the federal government to solve problems that now, any little issue, they think it’s the government’s job to fix it,” Walker said. He also expressed concerns about modern parenting, noting that while parents naturally want to give their children a better life, excessive comfort can lead to a lack of resilience. “If you shield kids from every hardship, they won’t be ready for real life,” he said. “Hardships forge who you are.”   

FINAL THOUGHTS: WHY WE NEED MORE CONVERSATIONS LIKE THIS In an era of government overreach, media manipulation, and cultural confusion, voices like Justin Walker’s are critical. He’s seen firsthand how institutions operate from the inside, and he’s not afraid to call out the dysfunction. Our conversation underscored the importance of getting involved at the local level—understanding who’s making the decisions that affect your community, holding leaders accountable, and resisting government expansion into every aspect of life. “The federal government has become the expert in everything, everywhere,” Walker said. “And that’s a problem.” For those interested in a raw, unfiltered take on modern policing, politics, and culture, be sure to tune in to The Ryan McMillan Show.