Texas Highway Patrol

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Texas Highway Patrol
Texas Highway Patrol Door Seal
Badge of the Texas Highway Patrol.
Agency overview
Preceding agency Texas Highway Motor Patrol
Employees 7,611 (as of 2004)[1]
Legal personality Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction* State of Texas, USA
Size 261,797 square miles (678,050 km2)
Population 23,904,380 (2007 est.)[2]
Legal jurisdiction Texas
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters Austin, Texas
Troopers 2,119 (as of 2011)[3]
Civilians 4,174 (as of 2004)[1]
Parent agency Texas Department of Public Safety
Child agency Capitol Security Police Division
Regions 6
Districts 19
Website
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/tle/index.htm
Footnotes
* Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction.

The Texas Highway Patrol is a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety and has the responsibility for general police traffic supervision, traffic, and criminal law enforcement on the rural highways of Texas. The Division's goal is to help maintain public safety through the efficient and effective administration of the division's various programs. The current Chief is Lieutenant Colonel Luiz Gonzalez.

While the Texas Highway Patrol is primarily responsible for traffic enforcement on rural highways, troopers retain full police powers, and occasionally serve a role similar to state police in other states. This is especially common in areas where local or county law enforcement is limited.

History

Early law enforcement in Texas began with the establishment of the Texas Rangers in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin. From then until the Civil War, the Rangers were the only form of state law enforcement available. The force was temporarily disbanded by the federal government after the Civil War, and replaced with the short-lived Texas State Police. This agency lasted only three years before the Texas Rangers were reorganized. Until the introduction of the automoblie, they remained the only state criminal law enforcement agency in Texas.

The Texas Highway Patrol was established in 1929 as the Texas Highway Motor Patrol, tasked with enforcing traffic laws on Texas roads. The original force was made up of about 60 officers who patrolled on motorcycles, often in pairs. Because of this, it was not uncommon for troopers to drive criminals to jail in their own cars, then return later for the motorcycle left on the side of the road. When the Texas Department of Public Safety was formed in 1935, the Highway Motor Patrol was transferred into that department and was renamed the Texas Highway Patrol. The use of motorcycles was phased out after World War II, and cars became troopers' main mode of transportation. Two-way radio and teletype were also added in the late 1940s, allowing troopers to communicate with regional dispatch centers. The Aviation Unit was also established in 1949 with the purchase of a single-engine aircraft based in Austin.

The 1960s saw some advances in technology, such as radar speed detection. Nevertheless, troopers' work was still mostly based on instinct and visual detection, and was often very hazardous. High-speed pursuits of bootleggers were common, and troopers were required to act as "storm chasers" for the National Weather Service because of the limited weather radar at the time. Motorcycles were introduced again in the 1970s, but the idea was quickly abandoned when the bikes proved unreliable.

Modern troopers use highly sophisticated technology to conduct their duties. GPS lets dispatch centers identify a unit's exact location, and in-car computers allow troopers to receive knowledge of a person's background before ever approaching a vehicle. Other technological innovations include dashboard cameras, mobile citation printers, and Tasers.

As of 2011, the Texas Highway Patrol employs 2,119 sworn troopers, making up roughly 60% of the Texas DPS.

Subdivision

As of 2013, the Texas Highway Patrol is divided into seven regions and nineteen districts.[4] Regions are labeled I-VII and are subdivided into districts, labeled alphabetically.

  • Region I - Dallas
District A - Dallas
District B - Tyler
District C - Mount Pleasant
District D - Hurst
  • Region II - Houston
District A - Houston
District B - Beaumont
District C - Conroe
District D - Bryan
District A - McAllen
District B - Laredo
District C - Corpus Christi
District A - Midland
District B - El Paso
District A - Lubbock
District B - Amarillo
District C - Abilene
  • Region VI - San Antonio
District A - San Antonio
District B - Austin
District C - Waco
  • Region VII - Austin

Note: Region VII is a special region which serves as security for the Capitol Complex, Governor's Mansion, and Governor of Texas.


Districts are further divided into patrol areas encompassing one or two counties, depending on size. Sergeants oversee troopers within a patrol area, lieutenants and captains oversee districts, and majors oversee regions.

Highway Patrol regions do not necessarily coincide with general DPS regions, or with subdivision of other DPS agencies, such as the Texas Rangers Division, which is organized into companies differing from DPS regions. However, Highway Patrol regional headquarters are typically located at the general DPS office in their respective cities.

Training

Trainees are housed at DPS headquarters in Austin and receive training both there and at a driving and firing range in Williamson County, north of Austin.. Academies are paramilitary in nature and are physically and mentally demanding. Academies are styled as Class A/B-(Year), and last anywhere from 18 to 28 weeks. On average, two academies are held per year; this number can be altered by the Texas DPS director as necessary. Hands-on material covered includes weapons training, accident investigation, self defense, pursuit driving, and intense physical readiness. Classroom study, such as fraudulent document recognition and legal and ethics code study, also plays a large role in cadets' training. Due to the difficult nature of the academy, some classes have graduated fewer than 20% of the starting number. Class A-2013 graduated 108 troopers out of an initial class of 128, an 84% graduation rate; Class B-2013 graduated 102 troopers of an original 126, a rate of 81%.

Trainees are allowed to select a duty assignment from a list of available stations throughout the state, although the Texas DPS makes the ultimate decision on troopers' stations. Troopers are typically allowed to request a station transfer after one year of satisfactory service.

Academy graduation and commissioning are held at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library auditorium in Austin.

Duties

Highway Patrol Division Troopers enforce traffic laws on Texas highways and perform a variety of other duties:

  • Apprehend traffic law violators, investigate most rural traffic accidents, recover stolen vehicles and stolen property, apprehend wanted persons, and assist other officers during emergencies.
  • Supervise the State Vehicle Inspection Program which includes inspection stations and mechanic inspectors.
  • Provide education and information programs on traffic safety and crime prevention and control.
  • Responsible for security at the Texas State Capitol Complex in Austin.
  • Enforce laws regulating weight, registration and other regulations governing commercial carriers.
  • Driver License Division Troopers license and rehabilitate Texas drivers.
  • Oversee Hazardous Materials incidents.
  • Provide statewide criminal law enforcement, especially in rural areas where local police are limited.
  • Participate in selective specialized units, such as regional SWAT teams, marine patrol, and dive recovery.

Uniforms

Texas state troopers wear tan uniforms, known affectionately by troopers as "Texas Tan". Full-length pants with a blue stripe and red piping are worn at all times. Polished black combat boots are worn on duty, along with similarly polished holsters and pouches on the gun belt. Badges are reminiscent of the Texas Rangers' famous "star-in-a-wheel" badge, though slightly larger and featuring a solid blue field behind the star. The badge number is prominently displayed in blue in the center of the star. Shoulder patches, worn on either sleeve, are predominantly red in color and feature the Texas Highway Patrol crest.

Troopers' headwear is unique in that instead of the peaked caps or campaign hats popular with other agencies, cowboy hats[5] are worn with the duty uniform. Felt hats are worn in colder weather and straw hats are worn in warmer weather. Ceremonial dress is similar to the patrol uniform, with the addition of white cotton gloves, white tunic, black cowboy boots, and a red fourragère, worn over the left shoulder.

Past uniforms (pre-1970s) were blue-grey in color, with peaked caps and diamond-shaped badges.[6]

Vehicles

The Texas Highway Patrol uses a variety of vehicles for patrol and specialized services. Early patrol units were motorcycles, but these were phased out in the 1950s. Since then, four-wheeled vehicles have been used for all patrol purposes; one trooper is assigned to each unit.

Current patrol vehicles are painted black with a white hood, roof, and trunk. Traditionally, the top of the doors were also white, but this practice is being abandoned with newer vehicles. "Texas Department Public Safety" is printed on the front door over a brown silhouette of the state of Texas. Underneath, "Texas Highway Patrol" is printed in white; "State Trooper" is printed on the front fender and on the trunk.

The Texas Highway Patrol also utilizes helicopters, armored personnel carriers, and marine craft for specialized functions, such as search and rescue, reconnaissance/intelligence, and border patrol. The Tactical Marine Division is the newest addition to the Highway Patrol, with the acquisition of six patrol vessels intended to police the Rio Grande and international lakes between the U.S. and Mexico.

In 2012, the Texas DPS decided to replace its aging fleet of Ford Crown Victorias with Dodge Chargers. A small number of Ford's Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility vehicles were purchased for use mainly in the Texas Panhandle.[7]

Patrol Vehicles

Motorcycles

Aircraft[8]

Marine Craft[9]

  • Shallow Water Interceptor Patrol Boat

S.R.T.

Recruiting

Equipment

Troopers are armed with the SIG Sauer P226 or P229 chambered in .357 SIG. Additional weaponry includes the Colt M4 carbine assault rifle and the Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun.

Patrol cars are equipped with Panasonic Toughbook computer terminals and mobile citation printers. Mounted lights are either the Whelen Freedom lightbar, in older units, or the Whelen Liberty lightbar, in newer units. Half of the lightbar contains white LED takedown lights; these are supplemented by column-mounted LED spotlights in newer vehicles. LED warning lights are also mounted on the rear deck. Primary light colors for all vehicles are red and blue, and rear directional lights are amber.

Salary and Promotions

As of September 2013, troopers who have completed the one year probationary period are paid $49,582 per year; four-year troopers receive $56,997 annually; and sergeants receive $64,085 per year. After an audit determined that troopers were being paid almost 20% less than officers in many municipal police departments, troopers' salaries were set to increase for 2014. In respective order as above, troopers will receive $51,943, $63,336, and $70,938 annually starting in fiscal year 2014.

Troopers are automatically upgraded to different trooper classes in four-year increments. Salary increases with each class, up to Trooper VI, at which point pay becomes and remains steady. Troopers are eligible for promotion to sergeant after four years of service. Promotion is based on availability and completion of a civil service exam, as well as experience and disciplinary history. After two years as a sergeant, troopers are eligible for promotion to lieutenant.

Response to 2010 Audit


Many changes to salaries and promotional requirements were made in response to a 10% drop in the number of troopers between 2004 and 2010, when an audit was conducted. The audit determined that Highway Patrol troopers were being paid far less annually than officers at many metropolitan police departments and sheriff's offices. The problem had been present for many years, but had gone unresolved because the Texas State Legislature sets state employee salary, not individual agencies. Additionally, state agencies had been asked to cut approximately 10% of their budgets between 2010 and 2012, making lawmakers hesitant to approve a larger budget for DPS. However, many legislators also feared that the decrease in size of the DPS, which was predicted to worsen, would result in a gradual lapse in quality of service. As a result, a 20% pay increase in the salary of most Texas DPS officials was approved in 2012. Additional legislative measures are intended to shield DPS from most future budget cuts.

In previous years, troopers who received promotions were typically required to move to fill available posts throughout the state. However, concurrent with the legislative decision to increase trooper pay, an internal decision was made by the Texas DPS to relax this method, allowing troopers to have more say in where they are stationed upon being promoted. The decision was based on a trend of troopers being required to live hours away from their families in order to prevent their spouses from having to leave steady employment.[10]

DPS also made an effort to fill state trooper vacancies. Recruitment efforts were increased across the country, particularly focusing on military members preparing to leave active duty. Recruiters traveled as far as California and North Carolina in search of potential applicants.

Demographics

Source:[11]

  • Male: 95%
  • Female: 5%
  • White: 66%
  • Hispanic: 22%
  • African-American/Black: 11%
  • Asian: 1%

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Texas Highway Patrol, 84 troopers have died in the line of duty.

The causes of death are as follows:

Cause of death Number of deaths
Automobile accident
24
Gunfire
25
Gunfire (Accidental)
2
Heart attack
2
Motorcycle accident
6
Struck by train
2
Struck by vehicle
10
Training accident
1
Vehicle pursuit
5
Vehicular assault
6
Weather/Natural disaster
1

All fallen Highway Patrol troopers are publicly honored at the Texas Peace Officers' Memorial in Austin, a memorial at the Texas Department of Public Safety headquarters, and by various memorial markers throughout the state.

Grapevine Slayings

The Grapevine Slayings were the murders of two Texas Highway Patrolman on April 1, 1934 by members of the Barrow Gang, popularly known as Bonnie and Clyde.

Patrolmen Hollow Daniel "H.D." Murphy and Edward Bryan Wheeler, both stationed in Fort Worth, were on routine patrol on State Highway 114 in Grapevine when they noticed a car parked on intersecting Dove Road. Believing the vehicle's occupants were in need of assistance, the troopers approached the car. They were unaware that the car's occupants were Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, and Henry Methvin, outlaws wanted in several states for a string of robberies, kidnappings, and murders - including multiple police officers - that began in 1932 and had brought the gang nationwide attention.

As the patrolmen approached the car, they were unexpectedly met with gunfire. Trooper Wheeler was struck first and was killed instantly, his service weapon still holstered. Upon witnessing the death of his colleague, Trooper Murphy attempted to retrieve a shotgun from his motorcycle. However, he was shot before he could load the weapon. A passing motorist witnessed the shooting and flagged down another trooper, who arrived to find Wheeler dead and Murphy in critical condition. Trooper Murphy died on his way to a hospital in Grapevine.

Aftermath

Although the Barrow Gang had enjoyed a romantic image among many Americans before the Grapevine shootings, their popularity waned rapidly in the wake of the killings. Much of the public outcry was fueled by exaggerated media coverage of the incident, featuring erroneous claims by purported witnesses, but the shooting is nonetheless often considered the incident which turned opinions predominantly against the Barrow Gang. Although Parker was said to have fired several shots at the troopers, this report was later discredited. Henry Methvin, a recent prison escapee, ultimately admitted to firing the first shots, mistakenly believing Barrow wanted the troopers killed; it is believed Barrow's actual intention was to kidnap the troopers. Nevertheless, Parker's name was later included on an arrest warrant for murder, along with Barrow and Methvin, listed as "John Doe".

Shortly after the Grapevine Slayings, a posse of Texas Rangers, Dallas County sheriff's deputies, and Bienville Parish, Louisiana sheriff's deputies ambushed and killed Parker and Barrow in Bienville Parish, near Shreveport. The posse's leader, Frank Hamer, was a retired Texas Ranger who had been hired by the Texas Department of Corrections to track down Bonnie and Clyde. In a deal with the officers, Henry Methvin and his family had agreed to betray Parker and Barrow and arrange an ambush.

Today, a monument stone marks the location where Troopers Murphy and Wheeler were killed on Dove Road in present-day Southlake.

Rank structure

Rank Insignia
DPS Director (Colonel)[12]
 [13]
Chief (Lt. Colonel)[14]
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Corporal
Trooper
 N/A

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 USDOJ Bureau of Justice Statistics Census of Law Enforcement Agencies 2004
  2. ↑ "2007 Population Estimates" (xls). US Census. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
  3. ↑ "TxDPS - Highway Patrol". Txdps.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2013-01-07. 
  4. ↑ http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/staff_support/victimservices/pages/map.htm
  5. ↑ Same hat as Texas Highway Patrol, just a natural color http://www.qualityhats.com/resistolcattleman.htm
  6. ↑ Early DPS Uniforms http://texasdpsmuseum.com/
  7. ↑ http://www.government-fleet.com/article/print/story/2011/11/2012-michigan-vehicle-tests-patrol-cars.aspx
  8. ↑ "TxDPS - Aircraft History". Txdps.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2013-01-07. 
  9. ↑ "TxDPS -June 14th, 2012 Newest DPS Patrol Vessel Commissioned in Austin". Txdps.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2013-01-07. 
  10. ↑ http://www.texastribune.org/texas-state-agencies/department-of-public-safety/state-law-enforcement-lags-local-police-in-pay/
  11. ↑ Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/lemas00.pdf
  12. ↑ http://www.texasranger.org/today/DPS.htm
  13. ↑ http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/media_and_communications/images/PR070313_8Lg.jpg
  14. ↑ http://www.texasranger.org/today/DPS.htm

External links

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