Texas Department of Public Safety Graduates 94 New Troopers from Recruit Class B-2023

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) celebrated the commissioning of 94 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from recruit class B-2023 during a graduation ceremony held at Great Hills Baptist Church on Friday, Nov. 17. The event was attended by special guests, including Governor Greg Abbott, who served as the keynote speaker.

Governor Abbott commended the troopers for answering the call to protect and serve the state, stating, “DPS troopers are the go-to team to protect our state, acting as the first on the scene at major emergencies and saving lives. Thank you for your service, commitment, and bravery to Texas and to Texans. You are now part of the DPS legacy—a legacy built by heroes. Congratulations Recruit Class B-2023 on this tremendous achievement.”

Other notable attendees included Eric Nichols, Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice; Jill Durst, Board Operations Manager for the Texas Board of Criminal Justice; and Chief Neil Noakes from the Fort Worth Police Department.

This marks the 173rd recruit class for the department, with 1,887 candidates initially applying earlier this year. Of those, only 122 Trooper Trainees began the DPS Academy on April 24, and 94 successfully completed the rigorous 30-week program.

DPS Director Steven McCraw emphasized the Trooper Trainees’ commitment to a life of service, stating, “While I can’t promise it will be an easy one, I can promise it will be a life that means something, and that DPS will be here to support them and their loved ones every step of the way.”

The comprehensive 30-week in-resident Academy provided Trooper Trainees with over 1,200 hours of instruction, exceeding the mandatory 720 hours established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. The training covered various topics, including criminal and traffic law enforcement, crisis intervention, use of force, fitness and wellness, and emergency medical assistance.

Trooper Trainees also received Tactical Emergency Casualty Care training, preparing them to work as Highway Patrol Troopers anywhere in the state, including remote areas and extreme terrains. The training concluded with a Joint Field Training Exercise, simulating real-life scenarios, and a Legacy Run to the State Capitol Peace Officer Memorial.

Highlights of Recruit Class B-2023 include 79 males and 15 females, ranging in age from 21 to 43, with 30 military veterans and 10 recruits having prior law enforcement experience. The Troopers completed a challenging fitness test, including 6,294 push-ups, 7,820 crunches, and rowing a total of 94,201 meters during the 4-minute row test.

The newly commissioned Troopers are set to report to their individual duty stations across the state of Texas on Dec. 10.