On Sept. 25-29, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) again partnered with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to offer a five-day Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) Train the Trainer Course. IPC is a crimes against children class that includes human trafficking. IPC trains front-line officers to recognize indicators that a child may be a victim, at risk of victimization or missing, as well as recognizing high-risk threats to children. “DPS is honored to once again partner […]
Texas Department of Public Safety
DPS Reminds Texans About Dangers of Fentanyl During Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month
This October marks the first ever Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas as established by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year. In order to help the state continue its fight against this dangerous and deadly drug, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is increasing its public awareness campaign and reminding Texans to take action now in order to help save lives. “We thank the Governor for his leadership on this issue and for making Texas […]
DPS Highlights Achievements During National Forensic Science Week
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is proud to recognize the hardworking men and women of the DPS Crime Laboratory Division during National Forensic Science Week, which takes place from Sept. 17-23. The week highlights the critical forensic science work taking place in labs across the country, including the 16 accredited DPS crime labs that serve the state of Texas. “The DPS Crime Lab Division does groundbreaking work that impacts the lives of Texans every day,” said […]
DPS Announces Retirements and Promotions at Key Leadership Positions
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Jeoff Williams, North Texas Regional Director Hank Sibley and Aircraft Operations Division Chief Pilot Tim Ochsner. Jeoff Williams has served DPS faithfully since 1994 and retires as the Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Services, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After graduating from the DPS Academy, Williams began his career with DPS assigned to the Highway Patrol Division stationed in Winnie. In the […]
DPS Increases Enforcement for Labor Day Holiday
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is increasing enforcement for the Labor Day holiday and encouraging everyone to drive safely. In an effort to reduce crashes, the Texas Highway Patrol is stepping up patrols from Sept. 1, through midnight Sept. 4, looking for people not wearing their seat belts, speeders, people driving while intoxicated and drivers who fail to follow the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations. “Roads will be busy this […]
DPS Awards Dedication to Mission and Service at August PSC Meeting
The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw, presented one Director’s Citation, two Lifesaving Awards and two Unit Citations at the PSC meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24, at DPS Headquarters in Austin. “Day after day, the men and women of this department step up to protect and serve the people of Texas,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We are proud to be able to recognize them for their extraordinary efforts and […]
Driver License Offices Closed Statewide on Friday
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Division will be updating the driver license system over the upcoming Labor Day weekend. In order to accommodate the system updates, all driver license offices across the state, along with the Customer Service Center (call center) will be closed on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. No driver license services will be available at any of the offices during this closure. Offices will reopen to resume normal operations on […]
DPS Announces Arrests in Cleaning Scanning Operation
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Regulatory Services Division (RSD) continues to work to address illegal activity surrounding fraudulent vehicle inspections known as “clean scanning.” In an effort to reduce clean scanning, RSD conducted several operations on vehicle inspection stations throughout the state where illegal activity was believed to be taking place. After the initial identification of those stations, personnel from RSD, DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) conducted […]
DPS Honors Decisive Action, Excellence and Innovation at April PSC Meeting
The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw, presented two William P. Clements Excellence Awards, four Lifesaving Awards and two Unit Citations at the PSC meeting on Friday, April 21, at DPS Headquarters in Austin. “Incredible, lifesaving work is happening across so many divisions here at the Texas Department of Public Safety each and every day,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “It’s so important that we take the time to […]
TPWD, DPS Advise Gun Storage Safety for Spring Hunting
Now that spring turkey hunting season has begun, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) want to remind gun owners that safe gun storage saves lives. Proper storage protects those you love and keeps firearms out of the hands of criminals. The Pew Research Center estimates more than 45 percent of Texans own a gun. One-third of homes with children have a firearm, and many of these may […]