(a) The director shall: (1) be directly responsible to the commission for the conduct of the department's affairs; (2) act as executive director of the department; (3) act with the commission in an advisory capacity, without vote; (4) adopt rules, subject to commission approval, considered necessary for the control of the department; (5) issue commissions as law enforcement officers, under the commission's direction, to all members of the Texas Rangers and the Texas Highway Patrol and to other officers
In addition to the powers and duties provided by law for the officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted persons of the Texas Highway Patrol, they have the powers and authority provided by law for members of the Texas Rangers force. Tex. Gov't. Code § 411.032 Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 147, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1987.
(a) The department has primary responsibility for law enforcement and security services on the Capitol Complex. (b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit the department from requesting or receiving assistance from another law enforcement agency. (c) This section does not prohibit a peace officer who is not a member of the department from exercising the officer's authority on the Capitol Complex in an emergency or in a situation where the officer reasonably believes that immediate action is necessary.
The Texas Highway Patrol is a division of the department consisting of the chief patrol officer, the number of captains, sergeants, and privates authorized by the legislature, and administrative and clerical help as the commission determines. A person's literary attainment does not preclude the person's appointment as a private if the person is otherwise qualified. The chief patrol officer is the executive officer of the patrol. Officers are entitled to compensation as provided by the legislature