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The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a statewide investigative 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.
The Texas Rangers Division employs about 220 personnel, including commissioned Rangers, staff, and officers, according to a December 2021 organizational chart.
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.
Duties
The duties of the Texas Rangers include investigating major crimes, cold cases, public corruption, fatal police shootings, and alleged misconduct on the part of other law enforcement. In 2019, the Rangers conducted over 1,800 criminal investigations statewide.
The Rangers also investigate threats against the governor and other state and federal officials.
The Rangers’ Public Integrity Unity is responsible for investigating officials or state employees accused of bribery or improper influence. Such investigations must be initiated by a formal or informal complaint, or on the request of a district attorney.
The Rangers also lead DPS’s border security program along the Texas-Mexico border, supporting U.S. Border Patrol through combined operations targeting cartel smuggling.
Ranks
The Texas Rangers use a six-tiered rank structure starting at Ranger (with the rank of sergeant). The next rank up is lieutenant, followed by captain, major, assistant chief, and chief.
Uniforms
Texas Rangers today are expected to wear conservative Western attire, which means a Western hat, a dress shirt, a tie, a dress coat, appropriate pants, boots, and a badge. In formal situations, such as court appearances, Rangers wear business suits.
Powers of Arrest
Texas Rangers have statewide jurisdiction to pursue criminals. Government Code section 411.022 says, “An officer of the Texas Rangers is governed by the law regulating and defining the powers and duties of sheriffs performing similar duties, except that the officer may make arrests… in any county.”
The Rangers do not have authority to detain someone in their own custody. The law says that a Ranger who arrests a person charged with a criminal offense must immediately hand over that person “to the proper officer of the county where the person is charged.”
Qualifications
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.
Contact
- Headquarters: 5805 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
- Phone: 512-424-2160
- Email: rangers@dps.texas.gov
