Texas Rangers

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.

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.

Role and Responsibilities

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 to combat cartel smuggling.

Ranks of the Texas Rangers

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 of the Texas Rangers

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 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 Texas 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.