Who handled policing in Texas during the time it was a province of Mexico?

During the period when Texas was a province of Mexico, the primary responsibility for policing and maintaining order fell to the Spanish military. This military presence was crucial in enforcing laws and ensuring the security of the populace within the territory. The Spanish military not only provided a structured approach to policing but also had the authority to intervene in various civil matters, a role that was essential given the socio-political climate of the time.

Local law officials, while present, often relied on the military for enforcement and support in more serious matters. Mexican police forces as we understand them today did not exist in the same organized form during the early period when Texas was still influenced by Spanish rule. Lastly, citizen militias, though they may have played a role in community defense, were not officially responsible for law enforcement in the way the military was. Thus, the Spanish military stands out as the correct answer, reflecting the organized approach to policing under colonial governance in Texas during that era.