Press Releases

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently graduated seven new K-9 teams from the Texas Highway Patrol’s Canine Program. A total of four tracking handlers and three drug detection handlers, along with their canines, graduated at a ceremony, which was held on Friday, Oct. 27, at DPS Headquarters in Austin. Of special note, this was the first tracking handler class taught solely by DPS.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is pleased to announce that Alice Amilhat has promoted to the newly created position of Assistant Chief of the Crime Laboratory Division. In this new role as Assistant Chief, she will have a hand in planning, directing and coordinating forensic laboratory services across the state.

AUSTIN – On Oct. 26 and 27, 2023, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) joined with federal, state and local partners for the 2023 Texas Statewide Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA) Full-Scale Exercise.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Chad Everett King is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $6,000 during November if the tip is received this month.

AUSTIN – On Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, the Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw, presented several prestigious awards to DPS personnel, including a Medal of Valor, two Purple Hearts, five Director’s Citations, nine Lifesaving Awards and two Unit Citations. The Awards were presented at the Public Safety Commission meeting at DPS Headquarters in Austin. Four Director’s Awards were also given to law enforcement personnel outside the department.

AUSTIN – On Sept. 25-29, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) again partnered with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to offer a five-day Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) Train the Trainer Course. IPC is a crimes against children class that includes human trafficking. IPC trains front-line officers to recognize indicators that a child may be a victim, at risk of victimization or missing, as well as recognizing high-risk threats to children.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Raul Herrera Jr., of McAllen, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, and Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to his arrest. Remember, all tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

AUSTIN – This October marks the first ever Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas as established by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year. In order to help the state continue its fight against this dangerous and deadly drug, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is increasing its public awareness campaign and reminding Texans to take action now in order to help save lives.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responding to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s directive this week to work with local partners and federal intelligence agencies on heightened public safety measures in light of the recent attacks against Israel.

AUSTIN – Three of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted offenders are back in custody following their recent arrests. Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Joshua Lockett was arrested September 29. Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders Clayton Starr and Daniel Buruato were both arrested September 27. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid to a tipster who assisted in Lockett’s capture.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Timothy Wayne Kirksey is October’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest has been increased to $4,000 if the tip is received in October.

AUSTIN – 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. 17-23. The week highlights the critical forensic science work taking place in labs across the country, including the 16 accredited DPS crime labs that serve the state of Texas.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the promotion of Texas Ranger Captain Wende O. Wakeman to the rank of major, making her the first female Ranger major in the organization’s storied two-hundred-year history.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Driver License (DL) Offices will reopen for regular business hours statewide on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, following the closure caused by the driver license system upgrade. Online services will also be available.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is now cancelling driver license appointments for Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, until 2 p.m. at many driver license offices statewide due to the ongoing upgrade of the driver license system. The only offices that will remain open for appointments at this time are the Garland Mega Center, Fort Worth Mega Center and Carrollton Mega Center.