Table of Contents
Overview
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a statewide law enforcement organization consisting of veteran commissioned officers.
Formerly independent, the Rangers became a founding component of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in 1935. Today it is the primary criminal investigative branch of DPS, working alongside DPS’s Criminal Investigations Division, and other divisions and agencies.
The Texas Rangers Division employs about 230 personnel, including commissioned Rangers, staff, and officers.
Structure and Organization
The Rangers are organized into six companies, “A” through “F,” based in different parts of the state, plus a Special Operations Group and a Public Integrity Unit.
The companies are headquartered in Houston, Garland, Lubbock, Weslaco, El Paso, and Waco, but Rangers belonging to these companies may also be stationed in other towns.
Each company is headed by a major and is subdivided into two or more units consisting of a lieutenant and 7 to 12 Rangers. For example, Company C consists of a major with two administrative staff in Lubbock, a unit of 12 in Lubbock, and a unit of nine in Amarillo.
The Texas Rangers Special Operations Group is headed by a major and consists of three regional response teams, designated Red, Black, and Green, each consisting of six to eight Rangers.
The Special Operations Group also includes officers and personnel assigned to other specialized DPS units, including SWAT, Crisis Negotiations, Air Reconnaissance, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, the Border Security Operations Center (BSOC) in Austin and six Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers (JOIC) located along the Texas-Mexico border.
At the headquarters, the Rangers are led by a chief and assistant chief, with officers also assigned to different roles including forensics, major crime scenes, public integrity, intelligence, administration, and a sexual assault kit initiative.
Role and Responsibilities
The major duties and functions of the Texas Rangers include a variety of tasks not typically handled by local law enforcement, as well as some duties shared by State Troopers and other Department of Public Safety personnel, including the Criminal Investigations Department.
These duties include:
- Major Crime Investigations – Conducting investigations into serious crimes such as serial murders, cold case murders, mass shootings, major thefts or heists, etc.
- Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations – When a shooting involving a law enforcement officer occurs in Texas, the Rangers conduct an investigation to determine the circumstances and legality of the use of force. Their findings are then submitted to the appropriate district attorney or grand jury for review.
- Public Corruption Investigations – The Rangers’ Public Integrity Unity investigates state or local officials accused of corruption, bribery, or improper influence. This is a duty that they took over from a Public Integrity Unit housed in the Travis County District Attorney’s Office (located in Austin) in 2015, following political controversy.
- Executive Protection – Just as the U.S. Secret Service investigates threats against the president, the Texas Rangers investigate threats against the governor and other officials.
- Special Operations – Engaging in tactical operations, including SWAT and crisis response, fugitive apprehensions, etc.
- Border Security – Assisting state, federal, and local law enforcement in securing the Mexico border and combating human and drug trafficking.
The role of the Texas Rangers in investigating public corruption has been controversial, with some claiming they are not aggressive enough, and insufficiently independent. According to reporting by KXAN television, citing DPS data, the Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit completed more than 560 public corruption case investigations from 2015-2020, but only 67 of those cases were prosecuted. Most of these prosecutions targeted lower-level local officials or government employees and typically ended with light sentences.
Ranks of the Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers use a six-tiered rank structure starting at Ranger (equivalent to sergeant), followed by lieutenant, captain, major, assistant chief, and chief.
Uniforms of the Texas Rangers
The uniforms of the Texas Rangers are a key element of their identity and reflect both their historical legacy and their modern role in Texas law enforcement. Rangers are expected to wear conservative Western attire, which includes a Western hat (typically a white or light-colored Stetson), a dress shirt, a tie, appropriate pants, and boots.
In formal settings, such as court appearances or high-profile public events, Rangers may wear business suits.
The Texas Rangers’ historical uniform has evolved over time, but one constant is their iconic badge, which was historically crafted from Mexican five peso coins.
Powers and Limitations
The legal powers of the Texas Rangers are defined primarily by the Texas Government Code and other state statutes. These powers grant the Rangers a unique set of authorities while also imposing certain limitations.
The most significant aspect of the Rangers’ legal authority is their statewide jurisdiction. According to Government Code Section 411.022, the Texas Rangers possess the same powers as sheriffs when it comes to making arrests and carrying out law enforcement duties. However, unlike sheriffs, who are confined to their own counties, the Texas Rangers can perform their duties anywhere in the state of Texas. This statewide jurisdiction allows the Rangers to respond to incidents and criminal activity in any of Texas’ 254 counties, giving them a level of flexibility and reach that local law enforcement agencies do not have.
While the Rangers are empowered to make arrests, their ability to detain individuals is subject to certain conditions. Specifically, the law dictates that when a Ranger makes an arrest, the individual must be promptly handed over to the appropriate officer in the county where the offense occurred. This is to ensure that the arrested individual is processed according to the local legal system. The law mandates that the Ranger does not retain custody of the person for longer than necessary and that local law enforcement agencies are responsible for overseeing the detention and eventual prosecution of the accused. This restriction ensures that the Rangers cannot bypass local legal procedures or detain individuals for long periods without proper authority.
Additionally, while the Rangers have the power to make arrests and conduct investigations, they are not granted carte blanche authority to act independently in every situation. The Rangers operate under the same legal frameworks that govern all law enforcement officers in Texas, meaning they must adhere to rules of evidence, due process, and the protection of individuals’ rights. Their power to arrest, for example, is subject to the same constitutional requirements as any other law enforcement agency, including the necessity of probable cause. Furthermore, when the Rangers make arrests or engage in investigations, they are required to follow proper legal procedures, including obtaining warrants where necessary.
One further limitation on the Rangers’ authority concerns their investigative powers. While they have broad jurisdiction, their ability to investigate crimes is generally limited to serious or high-profile offenses, and they often rely on requests for assistance from local agencies to take part in investigations.
In summary, the legal powers of the Texas Rangers are extensive in terms of jurisdiction and authority to make arrests across the state, but they are tempered by rules that ensure their actions align with the legal framework established for law enforcement in Texas. These powers are designed to balance the Rangers’ ability to pursue criminals with the need to respect the rights of individuals and cooperate with local law enforcement.
Qualifications to Become a Texas Ranger
Applicants to become Texas Rangers must meet the following requirements:
- At least eight years experience with a law enforcement agency, engaged principally in the investigation of major crimes.
- Currently employed as a commissioned officer in the Texas Department of Public Safety, with a rank of at least Trooper II.
- U.S. citizen and possess a valid Texas driver’s license.
- Excellent physical condition.
- Good moral character and habits.
Applicants to the position take an entrance examination and those who score highest are invited to an oral interview before final selection.
Famous Cases and Operations
The Texas Rangers have been involved in numerous significant investigations throughout their history, cementing their reputation as one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the United States. Below are some of the most notable cases and operations:
The 1935 Ma Ferguson Scandal: In the early 1930s, former Texas Governor Ma Ferguson was investigated for her involvement in the controversial pardoning of criminals. The Texas Rangers were called upon to investigate allegations that she used her position to pardon individuals with connections to criminal organizations. The case is an early example of the Rangers’ involvement in public corruption investigations.
The 1934 Bank Robbery by Bonnie and Clyde: Perhaps one of the most famous cases in Ranger history, the Texas Rangers were involved in the search for the notorious criminal couple, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, in the early 1930s. Though the Rangers did not directly capture them, their efforts were instrumental in tracking the couple across Texas and other states.
The 1970 Sharpstown Scandal Investigation: In 1970, the Texas Rangers were involved in investigating the Sharpstown Scandal, one of the largest political corruption scandals in Texas history. The scandal involved bribery and illegal stock manipulation by prominent Houston businessman Frank Sharp and several state politicians. The Texas Rangers’ investigation led to the conviction of multiple public officials and the eventual reform of state financial regulations.
Cold Case Homicides: The Texas Rangers have also been instrumental in solving cold cases that local law enforcement agencies had been unable to crack. One such example is the 1976 Zapata County murder case, where the Rangers’ relentless investigation led to the identification and conviction of a suspect more than 30 years after the crime.
On the other hand, the Rangers themselves were also accused of crimes and abuses at times, particularly early in their history. The Canales Investigation of 1919 was a significant moment in the history of the Texas Rangers. It was a legislative hearing convened by Representative José T. Canales, who led the investigation into alleged criminal conduct by the Texas Rangers.
Canales, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, sought to address accusations of misconduct and abuse of power by the Rangers, particularly regarding their violent actions during the Mexican-American conflicts and their role in the suppression of minority communities. The investigation, which involved testimonies from witnesses and the review of various incidents, revealed a troubling pattern of excessive force and lawlessness.
As a result, the investigation led to a reduction in the Rangers’ powers and greater scrutiny over their conduct, marking a pivotal turning point in their history. The Canales Investigation is often regarded as an essential event that contributed to reform within the Texas Rangers and brought attention to the need for accountability in law enforcement.
