Press Releases

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will join the country in observing national AMBER Alert Awareness Day on Wednesday, Jan. 13, marking 25 years since 9-year-old Amber Hagerman of Arlington, Texas, was abducted.

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021 the Texas Rangers arrested Andrew Smith on a charge of Indecency with a Child. Smith, who was about to be suspended, resigned from his position with DPS earlier that day.

The Texas Department of Public Safety issued the following statement regarding protocol for opening day of the legislative session.

AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced Travis Considine as the Assistant Chief of the Media and Communications Office. Considine’s hiring was approved at the December Texas Public Safety Commission meeting. He is stationed at DPS’ Austin headquarters.

AMARILLO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) seized more than 224 pounds of PCP and 11 pounds of cocaine Tuesday, after a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a vehicle in Oldham County.

AUSTIN – With a cold front expected to bring winter weather to parts of the state this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding everyone to take precautions now to prepare for any freezing rain, sleet, snow, ice or other wintry mix that may impact their area.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced today its annual Christmas and New Year’s holiday traffic enforcement campaigns will kick off on Wednesday, Dec. 23. DPS is reminding drivers to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by practicing safe driving habits and obeying all traffic laws.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently announced the promotion of three employees to leadership positions.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) graduated three Troopers and two canines from a nine-week training program on Friday, Dec. 11. These canine teams will join 49 other DPS Detection Teams throughout Texas, within the Texas Highway Patrol Division.

AMARILLO- On December 10 and 11, DPS Special Agents, Amarillo Police Department, Hutchinson County and Carson County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Randall County District Attorney’s Office arrested multiple suspects for online solicitation of a minor – sexual conduct.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today announced that the waiver on expiration dates for driver licenses (DLs) and identification cards (IDs) ends on April 14, 2021. Customers who need to renew are urged to make an appointment today.

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw presented two Adolph Thomas Distinguished Service Awards, three Medals of Valor, two Director’s Citations and 14 Lifesaving Awards to department personnel at the PSC meeting held on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Criminal Law Enforcement Auditorium at DPS Headquarters in Austin. In addition, 14 Director’s Awards were also presented to partner agency personnel and private citizens at the meeting.

AUSTIN – With another round of winter weather predicted to make its way to parts of Texas this weekend, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) wants to remind Texans to make preparations now for potentially hazardous weather still to come this season.

AUSTIN – Hundreds of toys are now heading to children in Austin and surrounding areas in hopes of making their holidays a bit brighter. This week, employees from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) dropped off toys for 438 children as part of this year’s Gift Drive for Children in Foster Care. The annual drive is put together by the Governor’s Commission for Women and the State Agency Council.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is offering extended office hours at participating driver license (DL) offices across the state, beginning in 2021.