Texas Statutes
Chapter 2 - General Duties of Officers
Article 2.12. Who Are Peace Officers


(1) sheriffs, their deputies, and those reserve deputies who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;
(2) constables, deputy constables, and those reserve deputy constables who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;
(3) marshals or police officers of an incorporated city, town, or village, and those reserve municipal police officers who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;
(4) rangers, officers, and members of the reserve officer corps commissioned by the Public Safety Commission and the Director of the Department of Public Safety;
(5) investigators of the district attorneys', criminal district attorneys', and county attorneys' offices;
(6) law enforcement agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;
(7) each member of an arson investigating unit commissioned by a city, a county, or the state;
(8) officers commissioned under Section 37.081, Education Code, or Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Education Code;
(9) officers commissioned by the General Services Commission;
(10) law enforcement officers commissioned by the Parks and Wildlife Commission;
(11) officers commissioned under Chapter 23, Transportation Code;
(12) municipal park and recreational patrolmen and security officers;
(13) security officers and investigators commissioned as peace officers by the comptroller;
(14) officers commissioned by a water control and improvement district under Section 49.216, Water Code;
(15) officers commissioned by a board of trustees under Chapter 54, Transportation Code;
(16) investigators commissioned by the Texas Medical Board;
(17) officers commissioned by:
(A) the board of managers of the Dallas County Hospital District, the Tarrant County Hospital District, the Bexar County Hospital District, or the El Paso County Hospital District under Section 281.057, Health and Safety Code;
(B) the board of directors of the Ector County Hospital District under Section 1024.117, Special District Local Laws Code;
(C) the board of directors of the Midland County Hospital District of Midland County, Texas, under Section 1061.121, Special District Local Laws Code; and
(D) the board of hospital managers of the Lubbock County Hospital District of Lubbock County, Texas, under Section 1053.113, Special District Local Laws Code;
(18) county park rangers commissioned under Subchapter E, Chapter 351, Local Government Code;
(19) investigators employed by the Texas Racing Commission;
(20) officers commissioned under Chapter 554, Occupations Code;
(21) officers commissioned by the governing body of a metropolitan rapid transit authority under Section 451.108, Transportation Code, or by a regional transportation authority under Section 452.110, Transportation Code;
(22) investigators commissioned by the attorney general under Section 402.009, Government Code;
(23) security officers and investigators commissioned as peace officers under Chapter 466, Government Code;
(24) officers appointed by an appellate court under Subchapter F, Chapter 53, Government Code;
(25) officers commissioned by the state fire marshal under Chapter 417, Government Code;
(26) an investigator commissioned by the commissioner of insurance under Section 701.104, Insurance Code;
(27) apprehension specialists and inspectors general commissioned by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as officers under Sections 242.102 and 243.052, Human Resources Code;
(28) officers appointed by the inspector general of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice under Section 493.019, Government Code;
(29) investigators commissioned by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Section 1701.160, Occupations Code;
(30) commission investigators commissioned by the Texas Private Security Board under Section 1702.061, Occupations Code;
(31) the fire marshal and any officers, inspectors, or investigators commissioned by an emergency services district under Chapter 775, Health and Safety Code;
(32) officers commissioned by the State Board of Dental Examiners under Section 254.013, Occupations Code, subject to the limitations imposed by that section;
(33) investigators commissioned by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as officers under Section 221.011, Human Resources Code; and
(34) the fire marshal and any related officers, inspectors, or investigators commissioned by a county under Subchapter B, Chapter 352, Local Government Code.
Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722. Amended by Acts 1967, 60th Leg., p. 1734, ch. 659, Sec. 5, eff. Aug. 28, 1967; Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 1116, ch. 246, Sec. 3, eff. May 17, 1971; Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 9, ch. 7, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 27, 1973; Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1259, ch. 459, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1973; Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 480, ch. 204, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 618, ch. 227, Sec. 2, eff. May 24, 1977; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1082, ch. 396, Sec.1, eff. Aug. 29, 1977.
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 545, ch. 114, Sec. 1, eff. May 17, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4358, ch. 699, Sec. 11, eff. June 19, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4901, ch. 867, Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5303, ch. 974, Sec. 11, eff. Aug. 29, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 384, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 26, 1985; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 19, Sec. 4, eff. Dec. 4, 1986; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 350, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 277, Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 794, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1104, Sec. 4, eff. June 16, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 4.02, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 228, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 287, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 386, Sec. 70, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 446, Sec. 1, eff. June 11, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 544, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 545, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 597, Sec. 57, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 853, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 6, Sec. 6; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 3.01, eff. Nov. 12, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 107, Sec. 4.07, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 116, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 339, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 695, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 912, Sec. 25, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 10, eff. May 30, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 621, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 729, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 4.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 90, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. May 29, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 882, Sec. 2, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 974, Sec. 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 272, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 442, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 669, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 3.001, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 235, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 474, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 930, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Reenacted and amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 4.001, eff. September 1, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 2884), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1164 (H.B. 3201), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653), Sec. 3.001, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 402 (S.B. 601), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 584 (H.B. 3815), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1163 (H.B. 2702), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 8 (S.B. 543), Sec. 2, eff. May 2, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 93 (S.B. 686), Sec. 2.01, eff. May 18, 2013.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 333 (H.B. 11), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 34 (S.B. 319), Sec. 2, eff. May 14, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 404 (S.B. 1550), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.

Structure Texas Statutes

Texas Statutes

Code of Criminal Procedure

Title 1 - Code of Criminal Procedure

Chapter 2 - General Duties of Officers

Article 2.01. Duties of District Attorneys

Article 2.02. Duties of County Attorneys

Article 2.021. Duties of Attorney General

Article 2.022. Assistance of Texas Rangers

Article 2.023. Notification to Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Article 2.024. Tracking Use of Certain Testimony

Article 2.025. Special Duty of District or County Attorney Relating to Child Support

Article 2.03. Neglect of Duty

Article 2.04. Shall Draw Complaints

Article 2.05. When Complaint Is Made

Article 2.06. May Administer Oaths

Article 2.07. Attorney Pro Tem

Article 2.08. Disqualified

Article 2.09. Who Are Magistrates

Article 2.10. Duty of Magistrates

Article 2.11. Examining Court

Article 2.12. Who Are Peace Officers

Article 2.121. Railroad Peace Officers

Article 2.122. Special Investigators

Article 2.123. Adjunct Police Officers

Article 2.124. Peace Officers From Adjoining States

Article 2.125. Special Rangers of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Article 2.126. Peace Officers Commissioned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas

Article 2.127. School Marshals

Article 2.13. Duties and Powers

Article 2.1305. Carrying Weapon on Certain Premises

Article 2.131. Racial Profiling Prohibited

Article 2.132. Law Enforcement Policy on Racial Profiling

Article 2.133. Reports Required for Motor Vehicle Stops

Article 2.134. Compilation and Analysis of Information Collected

Article 2.136. Liability

Article 2.137. Provision of Funding or Equipment

Article 2.138. Rules

Article 2.1385. Civil Penalty

Article 2.1386. Eyewitness Identification Protocols

Article 2.1387. Intervention Required for Excessive Force; Report Required

Article 2.139. Reports Required for Officer-Involved Injuries or Deaths

Article 2.1395. Reports Required for Certain Injuries or Deaths of Peace Officers

Article 2.13951. Notice of Violation of Reporting Requirements for Certain Injuries or Deaths; Civil Penalty

Article 2.1396. Video Recordings of Arrests for Intoxication Offenses

Article 2.1397. Duties of Law Enforcement Agency Filing Case

Article 2.14. May Summon Aid

Article 2.15. Person Refusing to Aid

Article 2.16. Neglecting to Execute Process

Article 2.17. Conservator of the Peace

Article 2.18. Custody of Prisoners

Article 2.19. Report as to Prisoners

Article 2.195. Report of Warrant or Capias Information

Article 2.20. Deputy

Article 2.21. Duty of Clerks

Article 2.211. Hate Crime Reporting

Article 2.212. Writ of Attachment Reporting

Article 2.22. Power of Deputy Clerks

Article 2.23. Report to Attorney General

Article 2.24. Authenticating Officer

Article 2.25. Reporting Certain Aliens to Federal Government

Article 2.251. Duties Related to Immigration Detainer Requests

Article 2.26. Digital Signature and Electronic Documents

Article 2.27. Investigation of Certain Reports Alleging Abuse

Article 2.271. Investigation of Certain Reports Alleging Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation

Article 2.272. Law Enforcement Response to Child Safety Check Alert

Article 2.273. Release of Child by Law Enforcement Officer

Article 2.28. Duties Regarding Misused Identity

Article 2.29. Report Required in Connection With Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information

Article 2.295. Report Required in Connection With Unauthorized Acquisition or Transfer of Certain Financial Information

Article 2.30. Report Concerning Certain Assaultive or Terroristic Offenses

Article 2.305. Report Required Concerning Human Trafficking Cases

Article 2.31. County Jailers

Article 2.31. County Jailers

Article 2.32. Electronic Recording of Custodial Interrogations

Article 2.33. Use of Neck Restraints During Search or Arrest Prohibited

Article 2.33. Duty to Request and Render Aid

Article 2.33. Law Enforcement Policy on Use of Force by Drone