Which of the following is an example of a peace officer in Texas?

• A. Mall security guard
• B. Private security contractor
• C. Private investigator
• D. Sheriff and deputies

Answer: (D)

In Texas, a peace officer is a sworn law enforcement officer who is authorized by statute to enforce the laws, make arrests, and carry out police duties. Sheriffs and their deputies fit this description because they are sworn county officers with formal authority to enforce laws, conduct investigations, and arrest suspects across their jurisdiction. Mall security guards, private security contractors, and private investigators operate in the private sector and generally do not have this statutory peace-officer authority, unless they hold a specific commissioned status from a law enforcement agency—which these roles typically do not. Therefore, sheriff and deputies are the example of a peace officer in Texas.