Save The Law

The Texas Ranger Division is the oldest state-level form of law enforcement in Texas. They were formed in 1823 as an act to protect a small group of families after the Mexican War of Independence. The Texas Ranger Division is a statewide law enforcement agency based in Austin, Texas. They have investigated crimes from murder to political corruption, protected the Governor, acted as detectives and hunted down fugitives for over 180 years.

The Texas Rangers werent formally composed until 1835. The division has been a part of the Texas Department of Public Safety since 1935 and acts as Texass State Bureau of Investigations. The Rangers have played a major part of American history and were involved in a few of the most well-known criminal cases of the Old West such as Bonnie and Clyde and Sam Bass. Because of their great historical influence, the Rangers are legally protected against disbandment.

When newly settled families arrived in Texas after the Mexican War of Independence, Stephen F. Austin decided the needed protection. He hired ten men to act as rangers for the protection of these families. Within two years, the Rangers employed more than 300 men. The Texas Rangers have been used to fight the Indians, act as guides, and even participate in guerrilla warfare. They played important roles at various battles during the Mexican-American war. After the war, they fought the Comanche and other tribes to stop the raids on settlers and their property.

The Rangers were disbanded in 1860, however, many of them joined in the fight for the Confederacy after the secession of Texas. They were re-commissioned in 1873 and soon their reputations formed with their successful capturing of infamous criminals and desperadoes. They played a decisive role in the defeat of the Kiowa, the Apache, and the Comanche tribes. Many Rangers during this time used cruel methods that were worse than the viciousness of their enemies. They were accused of taking part in summary executions and extracted confessions with torture.

In 1919, a complaints system was instituted to tone down the behavior of the Rangers. Through the years, Rangers enforced law with brutality and cruelty. This caused their eventual discharge in 1933. Because of unorganized law enforcement, the Rangers were merged with the Texas Highway Patrol in 1935 under a new agency called the Texas Department of Public Safety. With a little rearranging, the Texas Rangers are still in force today protecting and serving the state of Texas.

Once education and training is completed, there are a wide variety of rewarding Texas Rangers Law Enforcement jobs available to those seeking them.