University of Houston Department of Public Safety Police Officers are Texas Peace Officers under article 2.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and the Texas Education Code. They derive their powers and duties from the same laws a Houston Police Officer or a Harris County Sherrif Deputy. They have the same powers to investigate, detain suspects, arrest, charge and ticket suspects as any other Peace Officer in Texas. They are required to meet the same standards of education and training as any other Peace Officer in the State of Texas.