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Mission Statement

To maintain public safety in the State of Texas

The Agency

The Texas Department of Public Safety participates as a member of the Toxic Substances Coordinating Committee (TSCC) in order to facilitate the Department's overall mission of public safety as it relates to the transportation of hazardous materials and the prevention of the illegal use of toxic substances. The Department also serves as a resource in assisting other state agency TSCC members in carrying out their agency missions. The following divisions at DPS are involved in TSCC activities:

• Division of Emergency Management
• License & Weight Service
• Highway Patrol Service
• Crime Lab
• Narcotics Service
• Breath Alcohol Testing Bureau
• Safety Education Service

Division of Emergency Management

The Division of Emergency Management assists local governments in planning for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters. This includes:

• Developing guidance for preparation of local emergency management plans and assisting state agencies and local governments with emergency planning
• Providing emergency management and hazardous materials training to state and local officials
• Operating a number of communications and warning systems and coordinating state response to accidents or incidents, including hazardous materials incidents like spills and explosions
• Coordinating damage surveys and assisting in requests for state or federal disaster assistance

Go directly to the DPS Division of Emergency Management website.

License & Weight

The License & Weight Service checks commercial vehicle traffic operating over State highways to ensure compliance with laws regulating weight, motor carrier safety registration, hazardous materials, and cargo transport. Enforcement of hazardous materials regulations involves requirements for proper shipping papers, packaging, marking, labeling, placarding, and use of hazardous materials routes for hazarous cargo.

Go directly to the DPS License & Weight website.

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Highway Patrol Service

The Highway Patrol Service enforces traffic laws on highways in the State to ensure public safety. This includes the arrest of intoxicated drivers, the seizure of illegal drugs, and the investigation of hazardous materials spills.

Crime Lab

Toxicology Section: This Section analyzes blood and urine specimens for alcohol, tranquilizers, sedatives, stimulants, and narcotics in cases of poisoning, drug overdose, and driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Drug Analysis Section: This Section analyzes samples of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs. The Section also investigates clandestine drug labs.

Go directly to the DPS Crime Laboratory Service website.

Narcotics Service

The programs of the Narcotics Service:

• Identify and eliminate illegal drug abuse and trafficking of controlled substances in Texas through investigative and enforcement action
• Assist state regulatory boards in regulating the dispensing and prescribing of controlled substances and dangerous drugs and in obtaining evidence for civil actions
• Register persons who administer, dispense, distribute, analyze, or research controlled substances in the course of professional practice

Go directly to the DPS Narcotics Service website.

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The Scientific Director's Office administers and regulates the state breath alcohol testing program through technical supervisors in compliance with State regulations. Duties include certification of 340 breath testing instrument locations and 4,200 breath test operators. The Office also provides expert testimony as needed in criminal, civil, and administrative cases and regulates the Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) industry within the State.

Go directly to the DPS Breath Alcohol Testing Bureau website.

The mission of the Safety Education Service is to educate the citizens of Texas in matters of public safety, crime prevention and detection, and law observance. The Safety Education Service provides educational material and data concerning effects and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.

Go directly to the DPS Safety Education Service website.

For more information, please contact:
Sgt. Barry Detlefsen at (512) 997-4100 or email barry.detlefsen@txdps.state.tx.us

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Last updated on 01/07/2009