Lawmakers Find Problems With DPS
AUSTIN (AP) – A panel of lawmakers recommended a makeover for the Texas Department of Public Safety in a report that concluded the agency is poorly prepared to respond to terrorism and has a critical shortage of officers.
Other problems at DPS include a driver’s license program that doesn’t meet consumer needs and a vehicle inspection program lacking the supervision to prevent fraud, according to report by the Sunset Advisory Commission, a group of lawmakers that periodically reviews state agencies.
While DPS is a necessary part of state government, the agency needs revamping, the 114-page report found.
Among the recommendations: DPS should transfer nonpolicing duties to civilians and those duties should be performed more like a business and less like a bureaucracy.
“We are tying up lots of troopers, and that talent could be served out on the roads, protecting the roads,” said state Sen. Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth, who serves on the sunset commission.
DPS officials declined to discuss the report.
“We are preparing our response, which is due to the sunset commission on June 9,” said agency spokeswoman Tela Mange.
Other concerns highlighted in the report include:Problems in the chain of command since DPS divisions operate within different regional boundaries.
That leads to communication and operating difficulties. Divisions have separate databases and can’t easily share information. Interviews with field officers show high levels of frustration.
About 7 percent of commissioned-officer jobs are vacant and DPS has trouble filling the openings. Higher-compensated jobs in the private sector, negativity due to racial-profiling incidents and the need for more military personnel are drawing away potential DPS recruits.
DPS’ organization hasn’t changed significantly over time, said Mitchel Roth, a professor of criminal justice at Sam Houston State University who has written a history of the agency.
“Since it was created in 1935, there have been times of shifting of divisions and cutting back on staff or adding some, but nothing major,” Roth said. “And anytime you have a large bureaucracy there are going to be holes.”
