AUSTIN – This month, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) commemorates the 15-year anniversary of its Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) program, aimed at safeguarding children. Governor Greg Abbott said of the program, "nothing is more important than protecting the most vulnerable in our state: our children."

Since its inception in April 2009, the IPC program has played a crucial role in training front-line officers to identify potential risks to children and to spot individuals who pose a threat. Governor Abbott praised the Texas Department of Public Safety for its relentless efforts in rescuing at-risk and exploited children and bringing offenders to justice. He highlighted the impact of the program in saving lives and ensuring the safety of children across the state.

DPS Director Steven McCraw acknowledged the program's success in rescuing numerous children from perilous situations, crediting the specialized training received by Texas Highway Patrol Troopers through the IPC program. McCraw emphasized the significant difference made by DPS in the lives of vulnerable children, thanks to collaborations with law enforcement and child advocacy partners over the last 15 years.

The IPC program's multidisciplinary training has extended to various partners, including local, state, federal, tribal, U.S. territory, and international entities. The program has led to over 300 investigations initiated by DPS, with more than 13,500 individuals receiving training both in the United States and abroad.

"All DPS Troopers receive an abbreviated IPC course during the Trooper Training Academy and are encouraged to attend the full 2-day 16-hour course," McCraw stated. "The program's victim-centered approach equips law enforcement officers to protect at-risk children effectively, emphasizing the message of proactively helping children in need without waiting for them to ask for assistance."

The IPC training aids DPS in various related investigations, including child abduction, human trafficking, child pornography, and sexual assault cases.