Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. Article 2.12
Who Are Peace Officers


The following are peace officers:

(1)

sheriffs, their deputies, and those reserve deputies who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701 (Law Enforcement Officers), Occupations Code;

(2)

constables, deputy constables, and those reserve deputy constables who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701 (Law Enforcement Officers), 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 (Law Enforcement Officers), 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 (School District Peace Officers, School Resource Officers, and Security Personnel) or 37.0818 (Private School Peace Officers), Education Code, or Subchapter E (Applicability of Criminal Laws), Chapter 51 (Provisions Generally Applicable to Higher Education), 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 (Airport Police Forces), 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 (Enforcement by Peace Officers), Water Code;

(15)

officers commissioned by a board of trustees under Chapter 54 (Harbor and Port Facilities in Certain Municipalities), 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 (Employment of District Peace Officers), Health and Safety Code;

(B)

the board of directors of the Ector County Hospital District under Section 1024.117 (Employment of District Peace Officers), Special District Local Laws Code;

(C)

the board of directors of the Midland County Hospital District of Midland County, Texas, under Section 1061.121 (Employment of District Peace Officers), 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 (Employment of District Peace Officers), Special District Local Laws Code;

(18)

county park rangers commissioned under Subchapter E (Establishment in Populous Counties), Chapter 351 (County Jails and Law Enforcement), Local Government Code;

(19)

investigators employed by the Texas Racing Commission;

(20)

officers commissioned under Chapter 554 (Board Powers and Duties; Rulemaking Authority), Occupations Code;

(21)

officers commissioned by the governing body of a metropolitan rapid transit authority under Section 451.108 (Peace Officers), Transportation Code, or by a regional transportation authority under Section 452.110 (Peace Officers), Transportation Code;

(22)

investigators commissioned by the attorney general under Section 402.009 (Authority to Employ and Commission Peace Officers), Government Code;

(23)

security officers and investigators commissioned as peace officers under Chapter 466 (State Lottery), Government Code;

(24)

officers appointed by an appellate court under Subchapter F (Employment), Chapter 53 (Bailiffs), Government Code;

(25)

officers commissioned by the state fire marshal under Chapter 417 (State Fire Marshal), Government Code;

(26)

an investigator commissioned by the commissioner of insurance under Section 701.104 (Department Investigators), Insurance Code;

(27)

officers appointed by the inspector general of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department under Section 242.102 (Office of Inspector General), Human Resources Code;

(28)

officers appointed by the inspector general of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice under Section 493.019 (Enforcement Officers), Government Code;

(29)

investigators commissioned by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Section 1701.160 (Authority to Commission Investigators as Peace Officers), Occupations Code;

(30)

commission investigators commissioned by the Texas Private Security Board under Section 1702.061 (General Powers and Duties), Occupations Code;

(31)

the fire marshal and any officers, inspectors, or investigators commissioned by an emergency services district under Chapter 775 (Emergency Services Districts), Health and Safety Code;

(32)

officers commissioned by the State Board of Dental Examiners under Section 254.013 (Peace Officers), Occupations Code, subject to the limitations imposed by that section;

(33)

the fire marshal and any related officers, inspectors, or investigators commissioned by a county under Subchapter B (Creation of Office; Term), Chapter 352 (County Fire Protection), Local Government Code;

(35)

fire marshals and any related officers, inspectors, or investigators of a municipality who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701 (Law Enforcement Officers), Occupations Code; and

(35)

Alamo complex rangers commissioned by the General Land Office under Section 31.0515 (Duties Related to the Alamo Complex), Natural Resources Code, subject to the limitations imposed by that section.
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.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 624 (H.B. 4372), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 3.001(1), eff. January 1, 2025.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 870 (H.B. 3981), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 950 (S.B. 1727), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 984 (S.B. 2612), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.

Source: Article 2.12 — Who Are Peace Officers, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.­2.­htm#2.­12 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

2.01
Duties of District Attorneys
2.02
Duties of County Attorneys
2.04
Shall Draw Complaints
2.05
When Complaint Is Made
2.06
May Administer Oaths
2.07
Attorney Pro Tem
2.08
Disqualified
2.09
Who Are Magistrates
2.10
Duty of Magistrates
2.11
Examining Court
2.12
Who Are Peace Officers
2.13
Duties and Powers
2.14
May Summon Aid
2.15
Person Refusing to Aid
2.16
Neglecting to Execute Process
2.17
Conservator of the Peace
2.18
Custody of Prisoners
2.19
Report as to Prisoners
2.20
Deputy
2.021
Duties of Attorney General
2.21
Duty of Clerks
2.022
Assistance of Texas Rangers
2.22
Power of Deputy Clerks
2.023
Notification to Texas Department of Criminal Justice
2.23
Report to Attorney General
2.024
Tracking Use of Certain Testimony
2.24
Authenticating Officer
2.25
Reporting Certain Aliens to Federal Government
2.025
Special Duty of District or County Attorney Relating to Child Support
2.26
Digital Signature and Electronic Documents
2.27
Investigation of Certain Reports Alleging Abuse
2.28
Duties Regarding Misused Identity
2.29
Report Required in Connection with Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information
2.30
Report Concerning Certain Assaultive or Terroristic Offenses
2.31
County Jailers
2.32
Electronic Recording of Custodial Interrogations
2.33
Law Enforcement Policy on Use of Force by Drone
2.34
Use of Neck Restraints During Search or Arrest Prohibited
2.35
Duty to Request and Render Aid
2.101
Magistrate’s Name on Signed Order
2.121
Railroad Peace Officers
2.122
Special Investigators
2.123
Adjunct Police Officers
2.124
Peace Officers from Adjoining States
2.125
Special Rangers of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
2.126
Peace Officers Commissioned by the Alabama-coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas
2.127
School Marshals
2.131
Racial Profiling Prohibited
2.132
Law Enforcement Policy on Racial Profiling
2.133
Reports Required for Motor Vehicle Stops
2.134
Compilation and Analysis of Information Collected
2.136
Liability
2.137
Provision of Funding or Equipment
2.138
Rules
2.139
Reports Required for Officer-involved Injuries or Deaths
2.195
Report of Warrant or Capias Information
2.211
Hate Crime Reporting
2.212
Writ of Attachment Reporting
2.251
Duties Related to Immigration Detainer Requests
2.271
Investigation of Certain Reports Alleging Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation
2.272
Law Enforcement Response to Child Safety Check Alert
2.273
Release of Child by Law Enforcement Officer
2.295
Report Required in Connection with Unauthorized Acquisition or Transfer of Certain Financial Information
2.305
Report Required Concerning Human Trafficking Cases
2.1305
Carrying Weapon on Certain Premises
2.1385
Civil Penalty
2.1386
Eyewitness Identification Protocols
2.1387
Intervention Required for Excessive Force
2.1395
Reports Required for Certain Injuries or Deaths of Peace Officers
2.1396
Video Recordings of Arrests for Intoxication Offenses
2.1397
Duties of Law Enforcement Agency Filing Case
2.1398
Duties of Peace Officer Investigating Stalking, Harassment, or Terroristic Threat
2.13951
Notice of Violation of Reporting Requirements for Certain Injuries or Deaths

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

Art. 2.12’s source at texas​.gov