Canales Investigation

The Canales Investigation was a 1919 legislative hearing into criminal conduct of the Texas Rangers, named for Texas State Representative José Tomás (J.T.) Canales. The purpose of the hearing was to "investigate the activities and necessity for a continuance of the force."^: 435 The investigations surfaced several allegations of wrongdoing, from murder to intimidation charges, with varying degrees of evidence.^: 78 The committee absolved the Texas Rangers of all legal wrongdoing while acknowledging a track record of abuse, and commended the adjutant general of the Texas Rangers.^: 82 Nonetheless, the investigation sparked internal reform of the Texas Rangers aimed to increase professionalism and accountability.^: 465