DPS Director Steven McCraw Announces Plans to Retire
There is a lot of movement in the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) as a new Commissioner has come on board for the Public Safety Commission, who is W.D. “Dan” Hord III (related story). On Friday morning, Aug. 23rd DPS Director Steven C. McCraw sent a letter to his more than 11,000 TxDPS officers and employees, announcing his plans to retire, after leading the agency for 15 years.
“There is no more important responsibility in government than ensuring the safety and security of our citizens,” McCraw wrote in the letter. “You, the men and women of the Texas Department of Public Safety, have upheld this responsibility with unmatched excellence. Serving as the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety has been the greatest honor of my life. I leave knowing that the future of this department is in the best possible hands—yours. Your continued efforts and commitment to excellence have made, and will continue to make, a profound difference in the lives of those around you.”
DPS has made notable changes under McCraw’s leadership, thanks to the tremendous support of Governor Greg Abbott, as well as the Texas Legislature and other state leaders. This includes the transition to a regional command structure – uniting DPS operations throughout the state, increasing pay for commissioned officers and obtaining state-of-the-art equipment to better serve the public and to protect officers. During his tenure, McCraw and DPS leadership also increased department hiring standards and implemented a mandatory fitness program for all commissioned officers.
His focus on recruiting has helped bring in top talent over the years. Under his leadership 3,300 Recruits completed the DPS Training Academy to join the ranks of the Texas Highway Patrol.
McCraw started his law enforcement career with DPS in 1977 as a Trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol and later as a DPS Narcotics Agent. In 1983, he became a Special Agent with the FBI and served in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Tucson, San Antonio and Washington, DC.
His promotions included Supervisory Special Agent, Unit Chief of the Colombian/Mexican Organized Crime Unit, Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Tucson, Inspector-In-Charge of the Southeast Bomb Task Force, Inspector – Deputy Assistant Director, Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Office and Assistant Director of the Office of Intelligence for which he was tasked to establish after the attacks on 9/11. McCraw was also responsible for establishing the Foreign Terrorism Tracking Task Force under the Office of the Attorney General.
In 2004, McCraw retired from the FBI to become the Texas Homeland Security Director in the Office of the Governor where he served until his appointment as DPS Director in 2009.
McCraw will continue to serve as Director through the end of the year while the Public Safety Commission selects his replacement. Details on that process will be made available in the coming days.
DPS Welcomes 101 New Troopers to Texas Highway Patrol
Another event took place on Friday, Aug. 23rd as the TxDPS commissioned 101 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from recruit Class A-2024 during a graduation ceremony at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin. Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address.
A-2024 is the department’s 175th recruit class. 130 Trooper Trainees were originally selected to begin the DPS Academy on January 29, and of those 130 only 101 successfully completed the entire 30-week school to graduate.
“These 101 graduates represent the best and brightest there is,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We are proud to welcome a new generation of leaders into the ranks of DPS, and we look forward to all they will bring to this department and this great state.”
During the 30-week in-resident Academy, Trooper Trainees receive more than 12-hundred hours of instruction. This exceeds the mandatory licensing requirement of 720 hours established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The comprehensive training comes from experts on various topics, including criminal and traffic law enforcement, crash investigation, crisis intervention, use of force, criminal investigations, communications, cultural diversity, fitness and wellness and emergency medical assistance.
Trooper Trainees also receive components of the Tactical Emergency Casualty Care training to include trauma assessment, bleeding control and treatment of shock. The training prepares them to work as a Highway Patrol Trooper anywhere in the state, including in remote areas and extreme terrains.
Trooper Trainees conclude their rigorous training with what’s called the Joint Field Training Exercise (JFTX) – a culmination of scenarios and training events that simulate a potential day in the life of a Texas State Trooper. Utilizing the skills and knowledge obtained throughout the academy, Trooper Trainees participate in approximately 25 scenarios ranging from vehicle pursuits to compliant driver traffic stops. It finishes with a Legacy Run from DPS HQ to the State Capitol Peace Officer Memorial.
Other class highlights include:
- 86 males, 15 females
- Ages ranging from 21 to 54
- 36 military veterans
The newly commissioned Troopers will report to their individual duty stations across Texas on Sep. 15.
