Texas Statutes
Subchapter E. Protection of Buildings and Grounds
Section 51.203. Campus Peace Officers

Sec. 51.203. CAMPUS PEACE OFFICERS. (a) The governing boards of each state institution of higher education and public technical institute may employ and commission peace officers for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subchapter. The primary jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes all counties in which property is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of the institution of higher education or public technical institute that employs the peace officer.
(b) Within a peace officer's primary jurisdiction, a peace officer commissioned under this section:
(1) is vested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities of peace officers;
(2) may, in accordance with Chapter 14, Code of Criminal Procedure, arrest without a warrant any person who violates a law of the state; and
(3) may enforce all traffic laws on streets and highways.
(c) Outside a peace officer's primary jurisdiction a peace officer commissioned under this section is vested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities of peace officers and may arrest any person who violates any law of the state if the peace officer:
(1) is summoned by another law enforcement agency to provide assistance;
(2) is assisting another law enforcement agency; or
(3) is otherwise performing his duties as a peace officer for the institution of higher education or public technical institute that employs the peace officer.
(d) Any officer assigned to duty and commissioned shall take and file the oath required of peace officers.
(e) Any person commissioned under this Act must be a certified police officer under the requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 468, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 285, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 93 (S.B. 686), Sec. 2.12, eff. May 18, 2013.