Press Releases

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety is recognizing the continued service and evolution of the Capitol Area Strike Team (CAST), a specialized team dedicated to protecting the Texas State Capitol, safeguarding dignitaries, managing large-scale crowds and providing rapid response capabilities when needed.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Regulatory Services Division (RSD) announces the upcoming launch of RSD Connect – a new online licensing platform that will enhance the state’s License to Carry (LTC) program experience for applicants, license holders and instructors. The new licensing platform is set to go live on Oct. 1, 2026.

AUSTIN – A Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrant is back in custody after being captured in Travis Co. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid for his arrest.

AUSTIN – Two of Texas’s 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders are back in custody following their recent arrests. Authorities captured Abelardo Garza in Brownsville and Elliott Reed in Benbrook last week. A Texas Crime Stoppers reward will be paid for Garza’s arrest.

AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Anthony Dewayne Oliver, a violent repeat offender with a lengthy criminal history, is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during September if the tip is received this month.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is stepping up enforcement efforts for Labor Day weekend. To keep everyone safe this holiday weekend, more Troopers will be out on the roads, including for the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE), which runs Sept. 4-7.

AUSTIN – As football season kicks off across Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds fans that the best game plan for any celebration is never to drive impaired. Whether you're tailgating before kickoff, cheering on your favorite team at a sports bar or celebrating a victory with friends, DPS encourages Texans to make a plan for a safe and sober ride home before the celebration begins.

AUSTIN – Thursday, several Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel and members of the public were honored during the August Public Safety Commission (PSC) meeting held at DPS Headquarters in Austin. PSC Chairman Steven P. Mach, Nelda Luce Blair, Dan Hord, Larry Long and Steven H. Stodghill, along with DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin, presented two Purple Hearts, several Lifesaving Awards, one Director’s Citation, one Director’s Award and one Unit Citation. One additional Director’s Award was also presented to a member of the public.

AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) welcomed 51 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from Recruit Class A-2026 during a graduation ceremony at Hill Country Bible Church in Cedar Park. This is the department’s 182nd graduating class.

AUSTIN – An Arizona man will soon be extradited to Texas on capital murder charges after modern forensic testing identified him as the person responsible for a 1981 sexual assault and murder. The suspect, Kelly Lee Brower, 68, was arrested on Aug. 19, 2026, in Cottonwood, Ariz.

Austin – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is proud to announce Mimzie Dennis as the new Chief of the Driver License Division (DLD), a promotion confirmed today by the Public Safety Commission (PSC) during its meeting at DPS Headquarters. Mimzie Dennis takes over from Chief Sheri Gipson, who is leaving after more than 40 years of dedicated service with the department.

Midland – On Aug. 12, 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division's (CID) Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit, in coordination with multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, executed a series of search and arrest warrants as part of a long-term investigation into an alleged criminal enterprise involved in the trafficking of stolen petroleum products.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) proudly announces Jason Bobo as the new Chief of the Texas Rangers Division (TRD), a promotion confirmed today by the Public Safety Commission (PSC) during its meeting at DPS Headquarters. Jason Bobo takes over for Chief Scotty Shiver, who is retiring after 31 years of dedicated service with the department.

AUSTIN – This morning, members of the Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Freeman F. Martin, awarded DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Amarillo a Unit Citation in recognition of their efforts and swift, decisive actions that prevented a mass July 4th attack in Northwest Texas last year. Their work resulted in the arrest of Kevin Hunt, now 19, who pled guilty to federal charges for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction on April 29, 2026.

AUSTIN – A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) 10 Most Wanted Fugitive is back in custody after his capture last week in Midland. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid.