Texas

[rocknrod]

Teaxs Rocks:rock:
Did you know:
One of the popular myths is that one can become a Ranger by signing up. While some Ranger units were raised that way in the 19th century, it is much more competitive these days. Becoming the best-of-the-best has never been easy . . .

Since 1935, there have always been more qualified applicants than positions. All Texas Rangers are now drawn from the ranks of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

In brief, you must live in Texas; you must complete 60 college credit hours (most Rangers have degrees, some have advanced degrees and certifications); you must have a record of eight years of outstanding full-time law enforcement experience (two of which must be with the Texas DPS at a certain rank and military law enforcement service does not count); you must pass stringent written and oral exams; and you must be physically fit.

All of that gets you a spot on the "qualified to apply" list -- not a Ranger commission.

Given the fact that there are only 118 Rangers, competition is fierce. There are usually 40 to 100+ applicants for every position.

I'm not one by the way, nor am I an officer of the court or any law enforcement member.

[Petrograde]

only 118 Rangers? wow,.. I didn't know that. Why so few? Texas is a big a$$ state!

[Donny Carlson]

only 118 Rangers? wow,.. I didn't know that. Why so few? Texas is a big a$$ state!
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/images/masthead/tex_logobanner_primary.jpg

You can only field so many? :)

[Joe Walsh]

Wow! Only 118 Texas Rangers....If you are selected do you get to kick the SNOT out of the bad guys like Chuck Norris does??? :gunfire: :cowboy:

[rocknrod]

Under state law, Texas Rangers are charged with four duties:


(1) protect the life and property of Texans by enforcing the criminal statutes;

(2) suppress riots and insurrections; (one riot, one ranger, God help you)

(3) investigate major crimes; and

(4) apprehend fugitives from justice. Of these, #1 and #3 occupy most of their time. Writers have called them a "state FBI" or an "elite investigative unit" and compared them with Scotland Yard, Interpol, the investigative arm of the Royal Canadian ounted Police, the French Surete and the FBI.

Their powers are specified under state law as similar to county sheriffs with the exception that they have no county jurisdictional boundaries.

One has to have superior credentials to become a Texas Ranger. Some law enforcement personnel with advanced rank had entered the Rangers as "privates." This was a poor reflection on their accomplishments, so it was decided to begin the Ranger ranks with sergeant.

'Walker: Texas Ranger" featured the "historical" character of Hayes Cooper in several episodes. Was there a Hayes Cooper, or was the character modeled after a real Ranger?

No. Hayes Cooper was an invention of the "Walker" writers. Although his name is similar to famous Ranger Captain John Coffee Hays, there is no resemblance. During the airing of the "Hayes Cooper" episodes the Hall of Fame and Museum received several hundred e-mails asking if he was real, or if there was a biography of the fictional Cooper. Chalk it up to the power of television!

[Two Hawks]

only 118 Rangers? wow,.. I didn't know that. Why so few? Texas is a big a$$ state!Probably because they are Bad A$$ troopers.
Kinda like the Army Rangers. Don't take many to handle a situation.

[texascorvette]

Don't know if it's true or not, but there is a tale that a medical examiner once ruled the death of a man shot by a Texas Ranger as suicide because "He failed to obey the order of a Texas Ranger". That's how highly they are regarded in The State of Texas.