AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Department of Public Safety celebrated its 90th anniversary on Sunday, honoring nine decades of service, innovation, and commitment to protecting Texans.
Founded in 1935 through legislation signed by Gov. James V. Allred, DPS was formed by consolidating the Texas Highway Patrol and the Texas Rangers, the nation’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency, established in 1823. The merger created a unified, statewide approach to public safety.
“Since 1935, DPS has grown with Texas — evolving to meet new challenges while never forgetting our core values of integrity, excellence, accountability and teamwork,” said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin “From our earliest days to today’s modern, multi-mission agency, DPS remains focused on one overarching goal: protecting and serving Texas, while remembering courtesy has a place in all that we do.
"This anniversary is more than a celebration of our history; it is a moment to honor the past and reaffirm our commitment to the future," he said. "None of this would be possible without the people we serve — thank you, Texas, for 90 years of partnership and support.”
Today, DPS oversees a broad mission that includes law enforcement, aviation, intelligence, cybersecurity, forensics and driver services. The agency employs 4,782 commissioned officers and 6,985 civilian staff, with 1,317 positions recently added during the latest legislative session. DPS operates across 20 divisions and maintains 384 facilities statewide, managing nearly $1.9 billion in assets, including almost 6,000 vehicles.
The agency also safeguards more than 1,200 miles of international border and serves over 31 million Texans. Its newest unit, the Homeland Security Division, was established this year to bolster the state’s ability to prevent and respond to threats against residents and critical infrastructure.
As part of the anniversary, DPS is highlighting the evolution of its core divisions and their role in protecting the state. The department remains focused on enhancing training, technology, and intelligence capabilities to address emerging threats, according to information.
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