Department of Public Safety Archives - Page 24 of 37

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.

Records Show Bland Revealed Previous Suicide Attempt

By Terri LangfordJuly 22, 2015

As she was being booked into the Waller County Jail, Sandra Bland told officers she had attempted suicide earlier this year, records released on Wednesday show. Bland also indicated that she had been diagnosed with epilepsy and was taking an anti-seizure medication.

Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis discusses the investigation of Sandra Bland's death at a July 17 news conference.

State Government

Bland’s Death Being Treated Like Murder Investigation

By Sophia Bollag and Terri LangfordJuly 20, 2015

The probe into Sandra Bland’s hanging death inside a Texas jail — which a medical examiner ruled a suicide last week — now includes the possibility of murder.

Higher Education

Waller County DA: Bland’s Death Won’t Be “Swept Under the Rug”

By Matthew Watkins, Terri Langford and Sophia BollagJuly 17, 2015

As Waller County authorities vowed on Friday to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged at the county jail, the Texas Department of Public Safety moved forward on a separate inquiry into how arrest procedures were violated in the case.

Criminal Justice

When Home is a Post Office Box

By Terri LangfordJune 18, 2015

The home address listed on a Texas driver’s license used to be one of the best tools police had to track people down, serve warrants or notify next-of-kin when someone died. But no more in this job-hopping, mobile culture.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw gives testimony during the joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking in La Joya, Texas July 24th, 2014

State Government

Analysis: Bickering Over Investigations, With a Legislative Audience

By Ross RamseyApril 21, 2015

As the Texas Legislature debates moving ethics investigations out of Travis County, an exchange between prosecutors and state police illustrates some of the problems ahead.

Texas Department of Public Safety officers patrol Anzalduas Park as part of Operation Strong Safety. Texas National Guard soldiers deployed to the area on Monday will help DPS in its mission, officials said.

Demographics

Integrity Unit Won’t Resume Inquiry Into DPS Contracts

By Ryan McCrimmonApril 20, 2015

Responding to a request by the Texas Department of Public Safety to renew an investigation into the department’s border security contracts, the head of the state’s anti-corruption unit said Monday that it was not equipped to continue the investigation.

Criminal Justice

DPS Chief: Resume Inquiry Into Border Security Contracts

By Terri LangfordApril 16, 2015

Looking to clear the Texas Department of Public Safety’s name, the agency’s top official is asking the head of the state’s anti-corruption unit to renew a halted investigation into $20 million no-bid border security contracts.

Criminal Justice

House Panel Weighs Property, Gun Rights

By Ryan McCrimmonApril 7, 2015

UPDATED: Business groups are weighing in on gun legislation, trying to preserve a business owner’s rights to ban guns from private property. A House committee took up the question up Tuesday.

State Government

The Playlist: Hog Heaven

By John JordanApril 4, 2015

After a marathon 17-plus hour debate that started just after noon last Tuesday, the House finally gave its preliminary nod to its version of the state budget, so we start this week’s playlist of the week’s news with “For the Love of Money” by The O’Jays.