AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today announced the winners of the 2018 Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Texas Challenge who will advance to the national competition in August. The local challenge was held on July 10 in Corpus Christi, and 20 DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Troopers and Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspectors participated, representing Texas’ eight different CVE districts. Additionally, four local agency Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) officers competed in the competition.
“Every year, our CVE Troopers, Investigators and Inspectors participate in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Challenge to showcase their expertise and skills in commercial vehicle safety,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Our CVE personnel inspect thousands of commercial vehicles every year to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, and I’m proud of the crucial work they perform every day, which helps protect the lives of Texans.”
Alongside the DPS Troopers, MCSAP police officers and sheriff’s deputies competed in several categories, including Passenger Vehicle Inspection, Hazardous Materials Inspection, North American Standard Level 1 Inspection, Cargo Tank Inspection and written examinations.
From DPS, Trooper Jeremy Usener of Colorado City was named Grand Champion, and Commercial Vehicle Inspector Jose Najera of El Paso was named runner-up.
In the MCSAP Division, Officer Michael Trautwein of the Houston Police Department was awarded Grand Champion, and Officer Raymond Miller of the Midland Police Department was named runner-up.
During the 2018 North American Inspectors Championship in Columbus, Ohio, which will take place Aug. 14 – 18, Usener will represent the Texas Highway Patrol–Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and Trautwein will represent the Houston Police Department.