Guide to a Career as a Texas Ranger

One of the most competitive careers in law enforcement is a career as a Texas Ranger. With a total of only 118 rangers, it can be very difficult to secure a place among these elite law enforcement officers. However, if you live in Texas and are interested in a career as a Texas Ranger, you shouldn't allow a little competition to stop you from pursuing your dream.

In order to pursue a career as a Texas Ranger, you must meet the following qualifications:

- At least sixty hours of college credits (degree preferred)
- At least eight years of non-military law enforcement service
- At least two years of service with the Texas DPS
- Possess a high degree of physical fitness.

All Texas Rangers have a clean record of service and have mastered the art of law enforcement. They are chosen from an enormous database of DPS employees, and are considered the "best of the best" in Texas law enforcement.

Under Texas law, Texas Rangers are assigned four very specific duties of service. The first is to "protect the life and property of Texans by enforcing the criminal statutes". This is a duty of nearly all law enforcement officers, but high profile cases and cases that cross jurisdictions are usually reserved for the Texas Rangers. The second duty is to suppress insurrections, which essentially means that they must keep the peace. The third Texas Ranger duty is to investigate major crimes, which might fall under multiple categories, and the final duty is to apprehend fugitives who have fled justice.

The Texas Rangers may be required to work with other investigative agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and police departments, though they are typically assigned cases which are their responsibility. They are not bound to specific jurisdictions of Texas, which means that they have powers that county sheriffs do not.

Texas Rangers, rather than other investigative officers in Texas, do not have a specific uniform of duty. Most Texas Rangers wear western-style clothing, including jeans and cowboy hats made specifically for the Rangers. Texas Rangers are ranked just as police officers are ranked, with Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Chief in that order.

One of the hallmarks of the Texas Rangers is the size of the organization. With just over 100 Texas Rangers, they are able to work quickly and efficiently in tight-knit groups with little worry about political or bureaucratic nonsense. A two-Ranger team might be responsible for several dozen cases at one time, but they are taught to prioritize and to maximize their time over specific cases.

If you are hoping to pursue a career as a Texas Ranger, the best thing to do is to begin building your knowledge of law enforcement, weapons and technology. Establish your expertise with the Texas Department of Public Safety and apply for a position with the Rangers once you have completed the minimum requirements.