DPS Investigating State Rep. Dawnna Dukes' "Concerns"
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
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin.]()
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Police Group Upset After DPS Director Says Cops Should "Just Take" Being Spit At
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
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![Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, is interviewed by Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith on Jan. 19, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/ Texas Tribune -
Video: McCraw on Border Security
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
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Video: McCraw on Race and Policing
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
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Video: McCraw on Sandra Bland
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
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Video: A Conversation with Steve McCraw
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
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Lawyers, Scientists Try to Unravel Thorny New DNA Standard
About 50 attorneys, prosecutors, defense attorneys and lab technicians on Friday discussed how past and future cases could be affected by a new standard in analyzing data involving "mixed DNA" evidence. Full Story
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Will Another Traffic Nightmare Precede the Next Big Storm?
Before Hurricane Rita hit the Texas coast 10 years ago, there was an evacuation marked by a traffic disaster. Officials say they're prepared to avoid a similar catastrophe on the roads. This is part of our "Road From Rita" series, a collaboration with the Beaumont Enterprise. Full Story
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![Fleeing before Hurricane Rita hit land on Sept. 24, 2005, evacuees faced a separate disaster on roads like Interstate 10. The chaotic evacuation contributed to more deaths than the storm itself. Officials say they are better prepared for the next evacuation.]()
Credit: The Beaumont Enterprise -
New Crime Lab Protocol Leads to Reviews of "Mixed DNA" Evidence
A new standard, used by crime labs in Texas and nationwide when analyzing multiple sets of DNA taken from evidence, has prompted questions and a review of court cases dating back to 1999. Full Story
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Roundup: Paid to Prosecute, DPS Traffic Stops, 2016
In the Roundup: A paid-to-prosecute arrangement revealed, an analysis of state trooper traffic stops and the next GOP presidential debate looms as Ted Cruz and Rick Perry execute two different campaigns. Full Story
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Troopers Ticketing Fewer Overall, More Hispanics
State troopers are writing far fewer traffic tickets now than five years ago, but an increasing share of them are being issued to Hispanic drivers, a Tribune analysis of state data shows. The Texas Department of Public Safety says it can't explain why that's happening. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety recruit graduation class on April 7th, 2011 in Austin, Texas]()
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Interim Committee to Take a Closer Look at Jail Safety
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. John Whitmire on Tuesday announced the creation of an interim jail safety study committee following concerns in the wake of the hanging death of Sandra Bland and the deaths of other jail inmates. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (second from right) and State Sen. John Whitmire (right), D-Houston, announced on Aug. 18, 2015, the creation of an interim study committee to take a closer look at jail safety.]()
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Capitol Fire Suspect to Go Before Iowa Judge
A man arrested in Iowa who is suspected of setting fire to a car last week at the Texas Capitol is expected to appear before a judge on Friday. Full Story
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![Michael Patrick Wagner]()
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Person of Interest in Capitol Activity Now Tied to Car Fire
A man involved in "suspicious activity" near the Texas House speaker's office is also being sought for questioning about a car fire outside the Capitol, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said Monday. Full Story
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![The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking the public’s assistance in gathering information about a person of interest related to a car fire outside the state Capitol.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Public Safety -
Bland's Mother Sues DPS, Waller County
Alleging that Sandra Bland's "rights and privileges as a citizen of the United States" were violated, Bland’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the Texas Department of Public Safety, Waller County and several law enforcement officers. Full Story
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![Screenshot from Department of Public Safety dash cam video shows Sandra Bland as she exits her car after DPS officer Brian Encinia has drawn his taser on July 10, 2015.]()
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DPS Trooper Warned in 2014 of "Unprofessional Conduct"
The Texas Department of Public Safety trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black woman who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail, was warned about his "unprofessional conduct" in 2014 while he was still a probationary trooper, according to his personnel file. Full Story
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![A memorial for Sandra Bland at the site of her arrest.]()
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McCraw Hammered at Hearing on Bland Case
State lawmakers grilled Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw on Thursday, voicing concerns about arrest procedures used by state police and pressing the agency head to explain the July 10 arrest of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail. Full Story
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![DPS Director Col. Steve McCraw answers questions from State Rep. Garnet Coleman during invited testimony of the House Committee on County Affairs investigating the Sandra Bland death in Waller County on July 30, 2015.]()
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Mental Health Jail Check Failed in Bland Case
The Waller County Jail failed to complete a two-part mental health screening process as required by law during Sandra Bland's booking process, according to the state jail commission and at least one public policy group. Full Story
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![Waller County Jail booking video showing Sandra Bland appearing before Justice of the Peace Delores Hargrave.]()
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Bland Arrest, Death Prompt Legislative Hearing
Following the controversial arrest and death of Sandra Bland in Waller County, a Houston lawmaker will convene a Texas House committee hearing Thursday to look at trooper arrest procedures and state jail standards. Full Story
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![Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, on the House floor on May 7, 2015.]()
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Besieged County Officials Release More Tapes
Deluged with death threats and trying to dispel rumors that they covered up the real circumstances of Sandra Bland's death, Waller County officials released more booking and jail videos Tuesday. Full Story
![Waller County Jail booking video showing Sandra Bland appearing before Justice of the Peace Delores Hargrave.]()
Credit: Waller County Sheriff's Office