News

Department of Public Safety Diamond Jubilee

75 Years of Courtesy, Service, and Protection

The Department of Public Safety will be celebrating 75 years of service (1935 – 2010) to the public with various activities throughout the state in 2010, culminating with a formal Diamond Jubilee event to be held at the DPS headquarters facility in Austin on Friday, August 6, 2010.

In 1935, the 44th Texas Legislature authorized the creation of DPS effective August 10, 1935.  The Department was charged with enforcement of the laws protecting the public safety, and providing for prevention and detection of crimes in the great state of Texas. 

DPS has continuously evolved during the past 75 years, while the core aspects of the Department remain intact.  From 1935 until today, the Department has enjoyed an unwavering commitment from its employees and dedication to the Department motto: Courtesy, Service, and Protection.

Links

75th DPS Memorabilia Online Store (link will follow)

75th Commemorative Weapon (links will follow)

75th Memorial Ride
            (link to ride info)
            (link to ride application)
            (link to ride map)

75th Commemorative Badge
            View the Badges 
            (link to badgeorderform.pdf will follow)

DPS 75th Diamond Jubilee Website
           Go to Website

	2010 Schedule C Pay Proposal

DPS Receives Deloitte Management and Organizational Structure Study

October 31, 2008

Deloitte Consulting has delivered its study of the Department of Public Safety to the Texas Public Safety Commission and the DPS. The commission had asked Deloitte Consulting, an international management consulting firm, to examine DPS overall and recommend specific changes to strengthen the agency.

“These are broad and sweeping recommendations which will serve DPS well over the coming years. This study provides a strong blueprint that will secure the Department’s status as one of the elite law enforcement agencies in the country. I look forward to making this journey with the men and women of the DPS,” said Allan Polunsky, chairman of the Public Safety Commission.

The report by Deloitte identified a number of issues in the way DPS is organized, its business processes and information systems. Taken together, those issues and the consultant’s resulting recommendations call for a significant transformation of the organization, including changing its organizational structure and management processes to improve law enforcement and public safety capabilities, as well as improving customer service in areas such as the Driver License Division.

“The Deloitte report separates Department of Public Safety employees into two groups. One who works normal office hours with a focus on improved service to the citizens of Texas and the other group who are on call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, and whose lives could be at risk, where professionalism and competency at law enforcement is mandatory. The recommendations are sound and the goals are achievable,” said retired Admiral Bob Inman, who reviewed the report at the request of the Public Safety Commission.
Specific recommendations call for:

• Combining all DPS law enforcement divisions under a single deputy director for law enforcement and deploying them operationally across the state through a new regional command structure.
• Establishing a new organization for intelligence and counter-terrorism, focused on facilitating information sharing and intelligence-led policing and supported by a robust fusion center.
• Hiring an Assistant Director to develop a new human resources strategy to attract, train and promote the best people within and outside DPS.
• Hiring a chief information officer to develop the infrastructure, systems and information necessary to support both law enforcement and the license and regulatory activities.
• Overhauling financial processes and systems to provide the necessary financial accountability and transparency.
• Organizing all licensing and regulation functions under a single deputy director responsible for improving the customer service and efficiency of activities which include driver license, vehicle inspection, concealed handgun licensing and private security licensing.

“The demands on law enforcement throughout our state and nation have been evolving over the past decades. The changes recommended by the study will help DPS better serve the people of the state of Texas,” said Lt. Col. Lamar Beckworth. He was the DPS project officer for the study, and coordinated the agency’s participation, and now serves as the interim director of DPS.

“I look forward to working with all DPS divisions to bring these recommendations to fruition,” said Col. Stan Clark, former interim director of the DPS. “These are exciting times, and we have a great foundation on which to build a solid and outstanding law enforcement agency.”

The DPS Officers Association has commissioned a survey of current pay scales for law enforcement agencies through out the state. This information can be reviewed in the following document and is essentially a DPS pay comparison relative to peer agencies.

	2010-2011 Base Pay Comparison
	Base Pay Comparison(PDF file)

DPS Academy Commencement - October 9, 2009

The Texas Highway Patrol is a proud fraternity of expertly trained professionals serving our state in the finest tradition. Troopers serve in various capacities, some of which you may not be aware. The DPS has its own SWAT units, drug interdiction teams, pilots, divers, and others involved in specialized rescue, as well as those jobs with which we are all familiar.

On October 9, 2009 the 138th class of DPS recruits received their commissions in a very impressive ceremony at the Riverbend Center in Austin, Texas. The solemn ceremony was attended by family and friends as well as state officials and the public at large. The 69 new Troopers successfully completed 28 weeks of intensive training, logging more than 1100 man hours in the process.

During his address, DPS Director Steve McCraw encouraged the new Troopers to be very proud of their elite status as part of the state's premier law enforcement agency. His comments also recognized the position and training of other law enforcement agencies with whom they will be working.

Texas State Representative Tommy Merritt, Chairman of the House Public Safety Committee gave the keynote address. He thanked the new Troopers and their families for their sacrifice and dedication to the state of Texas. Also present at the ceremony were Chairman Alan Polunsky of the Public Safety Commission and Commissioner Tom Clowe.

Not everyone who applies for a position as a Texas State Trooper will graduate from the DPS Academy. The entry standards and performance expectations are both high. On average, only 25 percent of those applying for the Academy are accepted and actually begin training. Attrition accounts for an additional 15 percent of enrollees lost to the physical or mental rigors of training and course work. Those who persevere continue their course of study receiving training in the latest law enforcement techniques and procedures. Focus and knowledge retention are reinforced by a Sunday through Friday on-campus schedule. The Austin-based DPS training complex boasts a 400-bed dormitory facility complete with full cafeteria. Only the firearms training and driving courses are held off site.

Those Troopers recognized for speical achievement were:

Mario A. Menchaca, winner of the Major James O. Ratliff Outstanding Performance Award
William A. Hanna, winner of the Norman E. Zator Academic Achievement Award
Bradley A. Fein, winner of the Phebus Award.

Following the commencement activities the new Troopers were dispatched to their new duty stations throughout Texas, but not without first visiting the offices of the DPS Officer's Association. Most of the graduating cadets enrolled as members of the DPSOA, and stopped at the DPSOA store to pick up their new member packets. Whether in a large metropolitan area or a small rural district, these new Troopers will carry on the proud tradition of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and its Motto, "Courtesy, Service, Protection."