texas border operations
AUSTIN – After 15 years as head of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Col. Stephen C. McCraw said his final goodbyes to his employees as he left DPS headquarters in Austin today.
“Secretary Steve McCraw has led the Texas Department of Public Safety with integrity and dedication for the past 15 years,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Thank you for your extraordinary service to our nation and for always upholding the rule of law in our great state. The legacy will live on for generations.”
“Colonel McCraw’s service as DPS Secretary set high standards and exemplified honor, duty and leadership,” said State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. “He was a skilled administrator, a tireless leader, and a strong advocate for government agencies. His ability to manage difficult and complex situations served our country well and It proved his determination to protect.”
“Texas has been fortunate to have Secretary McCraw as the leader of DPS for the past 15 years,” said Public Safety Commission (PSC) Chairman Stephen P. Mach. “DPS is the premier law enforcement agency today, thanks in large part to his visionary leadership. His collaboration with Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature has led to greater safety, better pay, and We’ve had amazing improvements in better facilities, better hiring, and better people, and that’s why Texas is safer today.”
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety,” said Director McCraw. “I am retiring knowing that the future of this department is in the best hands. The continued hard work and commitment to excellence of those who work at DPS is indebted to the people of this great state. It has made and will continue to make a huge difference in lives.”
DPS has undergone remarkable changes under McCraw’s leadership, thanks to the tremendous support of Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Legislature and other state leaders. This includes moving to a regional command structure. This includes consolidating DPS operations across the state, increasing officer pay, improving service to the public, and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment to protect officers. During his tenure, McCraw and DPS leaders raised the department’s hiring standards and instituted a mandatory fitness program for all officers.
He focuses on recruiting and has been instrumental in recruiting top talent over the years. Under his leadership, 3,144 recruits completed the DPS Training Academy and became members of the Texas Highway Patrol.
McCraw began his law enforcement career with DPS in 1977 as a Texas Highway Patrol officer and then as a DPS narcotics detective. He became a special agent with the FBI in 1983 and served in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Tucson, San Antonio, and Washington, DC.
His promotions include Supervisory Special Agent, Chief of the Colombian/Mexico Organized Crime Task Force, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Tucson, Inspector in Charge of the Southeast Bomb Task Force, Assistant Chief of Police, and Special Agent in Charge of the Special Investigations Unit. . He served as deputy director of the San Antonio Office and Office of Intelligence, which he was tasked with establishing after the 9/11 attacks. Mr. McCraw was also responsible for establishing the Foreign Terrorism Tracking Task Force under the Attorney General’s Office.
In 2004, Mr. McCraw retired from the FBI and became the Texas Secretary of Homeland Security in the Governor’s Office, a position he held until 2009 when he was appointed DPS Secretary.
Since first announcing his plans to retire in August, McCraw has received numerous awards and recognitions for his lifetime of accomplishments. Additionally, over the past month, DPS employees have honored the director’s time at DPS and impact on the department through a video series titled “Celebrating a Lifetime of Service,” recognizing the profound impact of his leadership. I considered it. About DPS and its people over the past 15 years.
Earlier this week, employees paid their respects to McCraw as he left DPS headquarters for the final time. Employees from all departments lined the driveway, and planes flew overhead as he left campus. You can see that video here.
Director McCraw’s retirement announcement to staff and a photo of him with the department are available here.
McCraw’s official last day as director is November 30th. His replacement was selected by the Public Safety Commission earlier this month. Lt. Col. Freeman F. Martin will become the department’s 14th director on Dec. 1 and is scheduled to be sworn in at a formal ceremony at DPS headquarters on Dec. 2.
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