Texas Department of Public Safety

Department of Public Safety
of the State of Texas
Common nameTexas Department of Public Safety
AbbreviationDPS
MottoCourtesy, Service, Protection
Agency overview
Formed1935
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionTexas, United States
Size261,797 square miles (678,050 km2)
Population26,768,000 (2018 est)[1]
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters5805 North Lamar Blvd
Austin, Texas
Agency executives
  • Steven C. McCraw, Director
  • Randall B. Prince, Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Operations
  • Freeman F. Martin, Deputy Director of Homeland Security Operations
  • Jeoffry Williams, Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Services
Website
www.dps.texas.gov

The Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, commonly known as the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), is a department of the state government of Texas. The DPS is responsible for statewide law enforcement and driver license administration. The Public Safety Commission oversees the DPS. However, under state law, the Governor of Texas may assume command of the department during a public disaster, riot, insurrection, formation of a dangerous resistance to enforcement of law, or to perform his constitutional duty to enforce law.[2] The commission's five members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate, to serve without pay for staggered, six-year terms.[citation needed] The commission formulates plans and policies for enforcing criminal, traffic and safety laws, preventing and detecting crime, apprehending law violators, and educating citizens about laws and public safety.

The agency is headquartered at 5805 North Lamar Boulevard in Austin.[3]

  1. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013" (CSV). 2013 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. December 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  2. ^ State of Texas. CHAPTER 411. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. Sec. 411.012. COMMAND BY GOVERNOR. Retrieved on 2013-03-29.
  3. ^ "Contact Information". Texas Department of Public Safety. Accessed October 26, 2008.