Texas Local Government Code - LOC GOV'T § 85.006. County Police Force in Counties of 210,000 or More

(a) In a county with a population of 210,000 or more, the sheriff may appoint a county police force. The commissioners court shall determine the number, which must be at least six, of police officers to be appointed. The sheriff shall appoint one of the officers as chief of the county police. The appointments are subject to approval by the commissioners court. The sheriff may, subject to approval by the commissioners court, terminate the employment of an officer.

(b) The sheriff shall deputize each police officer appointed under this section. Each officer has the authority of a deputy sheriff, and all laws of the state applicable to deputy sheriffs apply to the officer to the same extent that they apply to deputy sheriffs unless the law conflicts with this section.

(c) A police officer appointed under this section shall patrol, by automobile or motorcycle furnished by the officer, the highways of the county located outside the corporate limits of the county seat. The officer shall devote all time spent on duty to performing that service and to matters related to that service. The officer shall perform all duties in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioners court.