"Special Rangers"

[RPB]

Just noticing an interesting term in a bill filed today

SB 9 S Filed 03/03/2011
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption Text: Relating to homeland security.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup ... R&Bill=SB9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Text here:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82 ... 00009I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Long, covers lots of subjects, but in part ...

Art. 2.252. VERIFICATION OF IMMIGRATION STATUS OF PERSON
CHARGED WITH COMMITTING OFFENSE. ................


SECTION 7. Section 411.023, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g) to read as
follows:
(b) A special ranger is subject to the orders of the
commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as
other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except
that a special ranger may not enforce a law [except one designed to
protect life and property and may not enforce a law] regulating the
use of a state highway by a motor vehicle. A special ranger is not
connected with a ranger company or uniformed unit of the
department.
(g) The commission may call special rangers into service to:
(1) preserve the peace and protect life and property;
(2) conduct background investigations;
(3) monitor sex offenders;
(4) serve as part of two-officer units on patrol in
high threat areas; and
(5) provide assistance to the department during
disasters.
SECTION 8. Section 411.024, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g) to read as
follows:
(b) A special Texas Ranger is subject to the orders of the
commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as
other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except
that a special Texas Ranger may not enforce a law [except one
designed to protect life and property and may not enforce a law]
regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle. A special
Texas Ranger is not connected with a ranger company or uniformed
unit of the department.
(g) The commission may call special Texas Rangers into
service to:
(1) preserve the peace and protect life and property;
(2) conduct background investigations;
(3) monitor sex offenders;
(4) serve as part of two-officer units on patrol in
high threat areas; and
(5) provide assistance to the department during
disasters.

Subjects:
Crimes--Drugs (I0185)
Fees & Other Nontax Revenue--State (I0362)
Labor--General (I0500)
Law Enforcement (I0510)
State Agencies, Boards & Commissions (I0749)
Vehicles & Traffic--Driver's Licenses (I0840)
Vehicles & Traffic--General (I0865)
GANGS (S0154)
IMMIGRATION LAW (S0674)
LICENSE PLATES (S9823)
PEACE OFFICERS (S0007)
RANGERS (S0322)
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF (V0251)

Anyway, the "special rangers" caught my attention.
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=RmwqnqL3Hbg[/youtube]

[RPB]

Anyone know about Bill: SB 1116 filed by Whitmire today? Text isn't up yet... could be about spanking, could be about reducing penalties for carrying... I dunno
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup ... ill=SB1116" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last Action: 03/03/2011 S Filed
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption Text: Relating to the punishment of certain prohibited conduct that occurs on a public school campus or on a vehicle owned by a county or school district.
Author: Whitmire
Subjects: Crimes--Miscellaneous (I0200)
Education--Primary & Secondary--Discipline (I0244)
Minors--Juvenile Justice (I0534)

[WildBill]

A "special ranger" is, to my understanding, a retired Texas Ranger - sort of like an unpaid reservist, but feel free to correct me.

That is my understanding after reading the book "One Ranger" by Joaquin Jackson.

[gigag04]

I thought it was also to do with some of the honorary Texas Ranger titles given out to celebrities.

[RPB]

I thought it was also to do with some of the honorary Texas Ranger titles given out to celebrities.

They want Chuck Norris to solve the border problem.... As the Church Lady says ... Isn't that special ...

[Mike1951]

If I'm not mistaken, railroad police still possess a special ranger commission.

[OldCurlyWolf]

A "special ranger" is, to my understanding, a retired Texas Ranger - sort of like an unpaid reservist, but feel free to correct me.

That is possible but not the only ones who can be. Often they were civilians with political pull who wanted to be able to carry a handgun before the CHL laws were enacted.

My 2nd FIL had a special Deputy badge and commission Issued by the Harris County Sheriff for just that purpose. There are not many of either out there.

[Commander]

Special Ranger commissions are generally granted to retired commissioned DPS officers from any branch of the department. That includes Troopers, narcotics investigators, auto theft, etc. The retiring officer submits a request to the Public Safety Commission, the five member appointed board that oversees the operation of the department. Generally, the PSC approves such requests.

I believe that special ranger commissions are also granted to officers of the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association in addition to railroad police officers. The Cattle Raisers Association officers deal with (believe it or not) cattle rustlers (still happens)

[HD76]

Anyone know about Bill: SB 1116 filed by Whitmire today? Text isn't up yet... could be about spanking, could be about reducing penalties for carrying... I dunno
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup ... ill=SB1116" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last Action: 03/03/2011 S Filed
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption Text: Relating to the punishment of certain prohibited conduct that occurs on a public school campus or on a vehicle owned by a county or school district.
Author: Whitmire
Subjects: Crimes--Miscellaneous (I0200)
Education--Primary & Secondary--Discipline (I0244)
Minors--Juvenile Justice (I0534)

Here is the text. Look to be about student disipline. As listed above.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82 ... 01116I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RPB]

ahh ok, thanks

[Ameer]

Is that like the Special Olympics?

[ELB]

...I believe that special ranger commissions are also granted to officers of the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association in addition to railroad police officers. The Cattle Raisers Association officers deal with (believe it or not) cattle rustlers (still happens)

+1. Awhile back I had occasion to look up what "special ranger" meant (dang if I can remember why) and was surprised to find there are quite a few of them with the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. That is actually a pretty interesting outfit, because it spans (at least) two states -- Texas and Oklahoma -- and there are special rangers in each state devoted to cattle-related crimes.

[ELB]

The internet is a wonderful thing. From TexasRanger.org:

Texas Government Code Sec. 411.0221
SPECIAL RANGERS
Note: Any commissioned member of DPS can be a "Special Ranger" after retiring, but only a retired Ranger can hold a "Special Texas Ranger" commission.

(a) The commission may appoint as special rangers honorably retired commissioned officers of the department and not more than 300 other persons.

(b) A special ranger is subject to the orders of the commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except that a special ranger may not enforce a law except one designed to protect life and property and may not enforce a law regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle. A special ranger is not connected with a ranger company or uniformed unit of the department.

(c) Before issuance of a commission to a special ranger the person shall enter into a good and sufficient bond executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the state in the amount of $2,500, approved by the director, and indemnifying all persons against damages resulting from an unlawful act of the special ranger.

(d) A special ranger is not entitled to compensation from the state for service as a special ranger.

(e) A special ranger commission expires January 1 of the first odd-numbered year after appointment. The director may revoke a special ranger commission at any time for cause.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 147, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.



Texas Government Code Sec. 411.024
SPECIAL TEXAS RANGERS

(a) The commission may appoint as a special Texas Ranger an honorably retired or retiring commissioned officer of the department whose position immediately preceding retirement is an officer of the Texas Rangers.

(b) A special Texas Ranger is subject to the orders of the commission and the governor for special duty to the same extent as other law enforcement officers provided for by this chapter, except that a special Texas Ranger may not enforce a law except one designed to protect life and property and may not enforce a law regulating the use of a state highway by a motor vehicle. A special Texas Ranger is not connected with a ranger company or uniformed unit of the department.

(c) Before issuance of a commission to a special Texas Ranger the person shall enter into a good and sufficient bond executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the state in the amount of $2,500, approved by the director, and indemnifying all persons against damages resulting from an unlawful act of the special Texas Ranger.

(d) A special Texas Ranger is not entitled to compensation from the state for service as a special Texas Ranger.

(e) A special Texas Ranger commission expires January 1 of the first odd-numbered year after appointment. The commission may revoke the commission of a special Texas Ranger who commits a violation of a rule of the department for which an active officer of the Texas Rangers would be discharged.

(f) The commission shall authorize a badge for persons appointed as special Texas Rangers under this section that is distinct in appearance from the badge authorized for special rangers under Section 411.023.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1189, §10, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

[PBratton]

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legis ... rity-bill/

Part of an email I got today:

Senate Approves Major Homeland Security Bill
Texas Tribune (04/28/11) Aguilar, Julian; Weber, Andrew

The Texas state Senate has passed a new homeland security bill that would require all law enforcement agencies to adopt the Secure Communities program. The program, which is run by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), compares the fingerprints of anyone arrested with a DHS database. The bill would also codify proof-of-citizenship requirements for driver's licenses and state-issued IDs and would institute harsher penalties for certain felonies. Additionally, it would establish a pilot program that requires license-plate readers for any vehicle used by DPS officers, and allows DPS to commission a special unit of Texas Rangers to conduct background checks. Finally, the bill could include a measure that would abolish "sanctuary cities," which allow local governments to adopt policies that prevent police from asking about immigration status. However, some legislators said they would not accept any such amendments from the House. Even without that amendment, there are objections to the bill, particular to the Secure Communities program. Critics of the program said that it does not target serious offenders, but often catches non-violent immigrants and even some legal residents and U.S. citizens.