The latest Department of Public Safety news from The Texas Tribune.
On the same day that Texas House Republicans doubled down on border security efforts and announced plans to send an invoice to the federal government, Senate Democrats said they were committed to fighting bills to eliminate sanctuary cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/08/IMG_0045.jpg)
After some Dallas City Council members voiced concerns this week over Whitmire’s work at a law firm whose client list includes city pension fund boards, the Houston Democrat said he would likely abstain from voting on Dallas-specific bills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/26/7C2A0224.jpg)
On Wednesday the U.S. Fifth Circuit of Appeals will hear arguments over whether an immigrant harboring provision lawmakers passed nearly two years ago should be implemented. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/23/IMG_1838-Edit.jpg)
Mayor Mike Rawlings blames former pension administration for a "grave breach of trust," but it's unclear who is the target of the state inquiry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/30/Rawlings_PensionTT.jpg)
In two key counties, less than a quarter of the “high-threat criminals” arrested by Department of Public Safety troopers for felony drug offenses during the state’s border surge have been sent to prison. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/15/Border-Trooper-in-Starr-County-sized.jpg)
DPS has added more troopers to the border under the assumed objective that they're going after drug and human smugglers. But most of their arrests are for drunk driving and misdemeanor drug possession. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/15/Nickolas-Mares-sized.jpg)
If President-Elect Donald Trump delivers on his promise to dramatically beef up security on the U.S.-Mexico border, leading Texas lawmakers say they might quit spending so much state tax money on it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/20/MHN_BP_001.JPG)
The two law enforcement agencies say they will start adding information on filing complaints to the citations they issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/20/UP9A0149.jpg)
It is unclear whether the Texas Department of Public Safety will make any changes to its training policies following the announced settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Sandra Bland. Full Story
Texas lawmakers will meet Tuesday to discuss the push for reforms in Texas jail standards, police training and care for mentally ill inmates in the wake of Sandra Bland's death in the Waller County Jail. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/24/Sandra_Bland_Candlelight_Vigil_Erika_Rich_07.JPG)
The family of Sandra Bland — the woman who died last year in a Waller County Jail cell — has reached a settlement with Texas officials in a wrongful death lawsuit, a lawyer for the family said Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/16/CKCoKC5WEAATZ1S.jpg_large.jpg)
The main entrance to the Texas Capitol is open and bustling again, a few weeks after the state Department of Public Safety temporarily closed it citing security concerns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/09/South_Entrance_Capitol.jpg)
A former staffer for state Rep. Dawnna Dukes has claimed the Austin Democrat sought reimbursement from the state for travel payments she was not entitled to, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/20/Dawnna_DukesTT.jpg)
The Texas Department of Public Safety improperly monitored how its employees use gas payment cards and should better ensure personal information from background checks is secure, state auditors said in a report released Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/SecureCommunities-FingerPrintFlag2.jpg)
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes has asked the Texas Department of Public Safety for an investigation, the agency confirmed late Friday. Exactly what it will focus on is not clear. Full Story
When asked about escalations with law enforcement, Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said last week that officers need to respond professionally and added, "Anybody that’s been spit at ... you just take it." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/01/19/6F6A0102.jpg)
At our 1/19 conversation, Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, explained why the border isn't secure, who's responsible, and what can be done about it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/6F6A0102.jpg)
At our 1/19 conversation, Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, explained why racial profiling is only a "perception" problem in Texas and how the agency is handling traffic stops these days. Full Story
At our 1/19 conversation, Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, talked about the Sandra Bland case and his decision to begin termination proceedings against Trooper Brian Encinia. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/6F6A9915.jpg)
Full video of our 1/19 conversation with Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Topics discussed: guns, Sandra Bland, race and policing, and border security. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/6F6A9904.jpg)