AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A panel of state senators wants to create a special Texas Rangers division to focus on corrupt police officers, specifically those along the Mexican border.
The bill written by Republican state Sen. John Carona of Dallas passed the Senate Criminal Justice Committee yesterday and now moves to the full Senate.
It would create a Ranger unit that would focus solely on investigating officers who become involved with powerful drug cartels and other criminal groups.
Carona says the bill is aimed at preventing what he expects could be an onslaught of temptation as wealthy cartels offer more money to law enforcement officers in the state.
Corruption in law enforcement along the border has become an increasing problem in the last few years. Last year, Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra and Hidalgo County Sheriff's Deputy Emmanuel Sanchez were arrested for allegedly working with drug smugglers they were charged with investigating. Several federal agents, including the former special agent in charge of the FBI's El Paso office, have also been charged with corruption in recent years.
---
Information from: El Paso Times, http://www.elpasotimes.com
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
