The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The DPS is responsible for statewide law enforcement and vehicle regulation. The department is headed by the three member Public Safety Commission. The commission is made up of citizens appointe by the Governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.

The Administration Division maintains DPS property, provides training to other divisions, and operates the Crime Records Service. The Crime Records Service maintains criminal justice information and issues concealed handgun licenses.

The Driver License Division is responsible for the issuing and revocation of Texas driver's licenses. It also registers vehicles, tracks titles and license plates.

The Criminal Law Enforcement Division focuses on drug trafficing, organized crime, and motor vehicle theft. The division also provides crime lab services to other law enforcement agencies.

The Texas Highway Patrol (formerly the Traffic Law Enforcement Division) is the division most frequently seen by citizens. Troopers of the highway patrol are responsible for enforcing traffic and criminal law, usually in unincorporated areas, and serve as the Texas state police.

Probably the most well-known division of the DPS is the Texas Rangers. Rangers are responsible for state-level criminal investigation, among other duties.

The Division of Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating statewide emergency planning and response. Typical emergencies are weather-related (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes), but the DEM also has responsibility for containing outbreaks of infectious disease and containment of hazardous materials. The DEM is also responsible for administering Texas' AMBER Alert network.

See also

• Administrative License Revocation

External links

• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Handbook of Texas entry for the Texas Department of Public Safety