Texas Department of Public Safety

Helping Kids Imagine, Innovate, And Create Through Teach For America Houston’s Dream Lab

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. 18-24. The week aims to highlight the critical forensic science work taking place in labs across the country, including the 16 DPS crime labs that serve the state of Texas criminal justice system. “The work happening in DPS labs across the state is truly remarkable,” said […]

DPS Offers Safety Tips Ahead of Labor Day Holiday

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) encourages everyone to drive safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of summer over the Labor Day weekend. In an effort to reduce crashes, the Texas Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement from Sept. 2 through Sept. 5, 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. “Safety […]

DPS Announces Two Retirements and Two Promotions at Leadership Positions

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the retirement of Central Texas Regional Director Todd Snyder and Texas Ranger Assistant Chief Brian Burzynski. Todd Snyder has served DPS faithfully for the past 26 years. He began his career in law enforcement with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office. After four years, he joined DPS in 1996 as a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper. In 2000, he promoted to Criminal Law Enforcement sergeant/investigator, and in 2003, Snyder promoted […]

DPS Offers Tips and Resources Ahead of New School Year

As the new school year nears, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds drivers to use extra caution in and around school zones and neighborhoods. This includes knowing the Texas laws about driving near stopped school buses and not using cell phones when you’re behind the wheel. It also means utilizing the many safety resources available to parents, school staff and students. “Heading back to school is such an exciting time and we all […]

DPS Graduates Six K-9 Teams from New Program

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) graduated six new K-9 teams earlier this month, as the inaugural class for the Texas Highway Patrol Canine Tracking Operations Program. These teams will be strategically located in the border regions to track individuals who may otherwise not be found. “This is yet another step in increasing our efforts to secure our southern border,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “K-9 units have long played an integral role within […]

DPS Increases Enforcement to Keep Roads Safe on July Fourth

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will be initiating two traffic safety campaigns during the holiday weekend looking for people violating traffic laws from Friday, July 1, through Monday, July 4. “Our nation’s freedom is something worth celebrating, and I encourage everyone to do it in a responsible way,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “This includes being mindful of our state’s traffic laws and being courteous of other drivers on […]

DPS Identifies Human Remains as 2013 Missing Person from Midland County

AUSTIN – Human remains found in Midland County in 2013 have now been positively identified as Sylvia Nicole Smith following an extensive investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). A homicide investigation is now underway.   On Aug. 1, 2013, Smith’s then-unidentified remains were found near South County Road 1160 and FM 1213, south of Midland. Workers surveying near an oilfield wellsite discovered her partial remains. The Texas Rangers, DPS Aircraft and the Midland County Sheriff’s […]

DPS Presents Nine Awards at April Public Safety Commission Meeting

The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), presented two Javier Arana Top Trooper Awards, five Lifesaving Awards, one Unit Citation and one Purple Heart at the PSC meeting on Thursday, April 14, at the DPS Headquarters in Austin. “I am proud to recognize the great work being done to keep Texas safe,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “These individuals stand out due to their training, persistence and devotion to protecting our great state. […]

DPS Increases Patrols for Spring Break

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase its presence on the roads to ensure highways are safe as part of a spring break enforcement campaign. From March 12 through March 20, the Texas Highway Patrol will be out looking for people who are violating traffic laws as part of Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort). The Operation will include St. Patrick’s Day. “Spring break is a time for fun and relaxation, but […]

AG Paxton Announces Verdict Reached  in Hunt County Human Trafficking Case

Attorney General Ken Paxton

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the jury has reached a verdict in a human trafficking case against Jeffrey Barret in Greenville, Texas. The Hunt County jury found Barret guilty of abusing his 3 adopted children after he subjected them to continuous abuse through isolation and coercion, making the children work at his puppy mill for years while they were not allowed to attend school. Jeffrey Barret was sentenced to life in prison and a $10,000 fine, which is the maximum sentence for this offense. The jury reached their verdict after 25 minutes of deliberations. The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case, together with the […]