Text of article effective on January 01, 2025
Art. 2A.003.  PEACE OFFICERS COMMISSIONED BY TRIBAL COUNCIL.  (a)  The tribal council of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas or of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas may employ and commission peace officers to enforce state law within the respective tribe's reservation.
(b)  A peace officer commissioned under this article has all the powers, privileges, and immunities of a peace officer and may:
(1)  within the tribe's reservation:
(A)  arrest without a warrant in accordance with Chapter 14 any person who violates a law of the state; and
(B)  enforce all traffic laws on streets and highways; and
(2)  outside the tribe's reservation, arrest any person who violates any law of the state if the officer:
(A)  is summoned by another law enforcement agency to provide assistance; or
(B)  is assisting another law enforcement agency.
(c)  A peace officer commissioned under this article is not entitled to state benefits normally provided by the state to a peace officer.
(d)  A peace officer commissioned under this article must meet:
(1)  the minimum standards required of peace officers by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement relating to competence, reliability, education, training, morality, and physical and mental health; and
(2)  all standards for licensing as a peace officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
(e)  A peace officer commissioned under this article and assigned to duty shall:
(1)  take and file the oath required of a peace officer; and
(2)  execute and file a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $1,000, payable to the governor, with two or more good and sufficient sureties, conditioned that the officer will fairly, impartially, and faithfully perform the officer's duties as may be required by law.
(f)  The bond required under Subsection (e)(2) may be sued on in the name of the person injured until the whole amount is recovered.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 1.001, eff. January 1, 2025.