Code of Criminal Procedure · Art. 2A.051

Duties and Powers of Peace Officers

Duties and Powers of Peace Officers (Art. 2A.051): key points and worked practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Formerly Art. 2.13; renumbered as Art. 2A.051 effective January 1, 2025 (H.B. 4504, 88th Leg.).

Duties under Art. 2A.051 (complete list)

All seven general duties listed in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2A.051, current through the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025). Official text.

  • Preserve the peace within the officer's jurisdiction using all lawful means
  • In every case authorized by the code, interfere without a warrant to prevent or suppress crime
  • Execute all lawful process issued by a magistrate or court
  • Give notice to an appropriate magistrate of all offenses in the jurisdiction where there is good reason to believe the penal law was violated
  • When authorized by law, arrest an offender without a warrant so the offender may be taken before the proper magistrate or court
  • Take possession of a child under Art. 63.00905(g)
  • On request of the Texas Civil Commitment Office, execute an emergency detention order under Health & Safety Code §841.0837

Learn more about this topic

Time yourself, score your run, review missed questions with statute references — Free Practice Pass cadets get limited access.

Start Free Practice

Worked examples

Worked example 1

Under CCP Art. 2A.051 (formerly Art. 2.13), the primary duty of every peace officer is to:

  1. Issue as many citations as possible
  2. Preserve the peace within the officer's jurisdiction; in addition, to use all lawful means to interfere with crime, prevent it, arrest offenders, and execute lawful process Correct
  3. Investigate only felony offenses
  4. Provide community outreach
Why: Art. 2A.051 (formerly Art. 2.13) lists each peace officer's general duties: preserve the peace within the officer's jurisdiction using all lawful means; interfere without a warrant to prevent or suppress crime where the code authorizes it; execute lawful process; give notice to a magistrate of offenses in the jurisdiction; arrest without a warrant when authorized by law; take possession of a child under Art. 63.00905(g); and execute Texas Civil Commitment Office emergency detention orders on request.
Statute: Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2A.051