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The Texas Rangers, founded in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin to protect colonizers, are the oldest law enforcement group in North America with statewide jurisdiction. They have been involved in many battles and have undergone various regiments, but were reinstated in 1901 with the same privileges as other peace officers. Today, they are organized into six companies and assist with law enforcement and homeland security duties.
The Texas Rangers are the members of a law enforcement group that has been around since 1823. They are the oldest law enforcement group in North America that has statewide jurisdiction. The group was started by Stephen F. Austin as a way to protect the people who had begun colonizing what is now known as Texas.
An original enlistment period for a Texas Ranger was one year and they received $1.25 US dollars per day as payout. Many battles have involved the Texas Rangers, such as the Council House Fight in San Antonio, the raid on Linnville, and the Battle of Plum Creek. From 1836 to 1845, laws were passed authorizing the formation of multiple groups of Texas Rangers, each protecting various parts of the area.
Beginning in 1865 and lasting until 1873, the group underwent a new regiment. They were trained in the State Police. Their orders to enforce unpopular carpet bagger laws have caused them to fall out of favor with many people.
After this period, the Texas Rangers became an organization that wasn’t really a military group or a police force. They were called upon to engage enemies in battle and to aid in community matters. Generally, if a matter was too big for a local police agency to handle, the Rangers were called in. They also had statewide jurisdiction.
In 1901, Rangers were reinstated again. A law was passed giving them the same privileges and responsibilities as any other peace officer. They were organized into four companies of 20 men each, with four captains commanding each company. West Texas and the Mexican border were the areas the companies patrolled.
Some events, like the Mexican Revolution and World War I, were things the Texas Rangers found they couldn’t handle. Prohibition also falls into this category, as do oil booms. Each of these events brought with it a different set of problems and circumstances. In 1919, the four companies of Rangers were reduced to 15 men each.
The modern Texas Rangers are organized into six companies. They still help with law enforcement and have begun to take a bigger role in homeland security duties. They can be recognized throughout Texas by their western hat and boots and their badge, which is made from a Mexican coin and is pinned above the left shirt pocket.
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