Texas Department of Public Safety
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Public Safety
Recent News About Texas Department of Public Safety
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Texas DPS promotes Bruce James to Assistant Chief following Justin Chrane's retirement
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced the promotion of Bruce James to Assistant Chief of the Texas Highway Patrol (THP). This appointment follows the retirement of Assistant Chief Justin Chrane, who served the department for nearly 30 years.
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Texas DPS urges residents to prepare as hurricane season begins
AUSTIN – In support of hurricane preparedness efforts across the state, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds Texans to make an emergency plan as hurricane season gets underway. The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30.
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First arrest made from new Texas most wanted criminal illegal immigrants list
AUSTIN – Just over 24 hours since Governor Greg Abbott launched Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the first arrest from that list. Servando Trejo Duran Jr., 62, was taken into custody in Baytown, Texas this afternoon by DPS Special Agents and Troopers assigned to the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center in Houston. The Baytown Police Department Special Investigations Division also assisted in the multi-agency fugitive investigation. Duran was booked into the Chambers County Jail. A Crime Stoppers reward will...
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Texas DPS intensifies traffic enforcement ahead of Memorial Day
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging motorists in the state to pay attention to safety tips and prepare for increased traffic enforcement during the Memorial Day period. This includes the annual Click It or Ticket and Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE) campaigns, which commence today, May 20, and will continue through Memorial Day on May 27.
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DPS Arrests 31 Illegal Immigrants in Maverick County
On May 3, 2024, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) conducted a targeted operation that led to the arrest of 31 illegal immigrants in Maverick County. According to DPS - South Texas Region, these arrests were made for criminal trespass as part of Operation Lone Star (OLS).
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DPS’ Interdiction for the Protection of Children Program Marks 15th Anniversary
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."
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DPS Recognizes Heroic Actions at April PSC Meeting
The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) recently held a meeting at DPS Headquarters in Austin where several heroic actions were recognized by DPS Director Steven McCraw and the commissioners.Director McCraw commended the awardees, stating, “The men and women recognized here today embody the Texas Department of Public Safety motto: courtesy, service, protection. I am honored to recognize the courage and commitment of these awardees who have stepped up in service of their fellow Texans. Texas is safer—and brighter—because of them.”Among the awardees was Trooper Lyndon...
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DPS Recovers 23 Illegal Immigrants Smuggled Inside Flatbed Trailer
LAREDO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today recovered 23 illegal immigrants concealed inside a flatbed trailer during an Operation Lone Star traffic stop in La Salle County.On April 12, 2024, just after 9:00 A.M., the driver of a white-truck tractor towing a flatbed trailer on Interstate Highway 35 failed to stop for a DPS commercial vehicle safety inspection. After a short pursuit, the driver stopped one mile north of the La Salle County Rest Area and fled the vehicle on foot. DPS Troopers and law enforcement agency partners then discovered 23 illegal...
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DPS Arrests More Than 200 Illegal Immigrants for State Crimes in El Paso
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has confirmed the arrests of 214 illegal immigrants on state rioting charges in connection with the March 21, 2024, incident near Gate 36 in El Paso. According to DPS, "The illegal immigrants attempted to breach the concertina wire and make illegal entry into the United States."The group, consisting of adult males and females from Venezuela, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, had previously been in federal custody for improper entry. They have now been rebooked on state rioting...
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DPS Arrests Six in Multi-Agency Lone Star Card Fraud Investigation
EL PASO – Earlier this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested six suspects in connection with a Lone Star Card fraud investigation in the El Paso area. Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Lone Star Cards are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help payments. From 2016 to the current date, 30 individuals have been arrested for Lone Star Card fraud.The multi-agency...
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Fugitive Sex Offenders from Houston, Odessa Added to Texas 10 Most Wanted List
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Braylon Lee Smart and Christopher Michael Anderson to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to each of their arrests. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.Braylon Lee Smart, 27, of Houston, has been wanted out of Harris County since February 2023 for evading arrest/detention with a previous conviction. Additionally, in October 2023, multiple warrants were issued out of Harris and Fort Bend counties for Smart’s arrest...