AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) now has a new director.
The Public Safety Commission unanimously named Freeman F. Martin as the next DPS director on Tuesday.
Martin currently serves as the senior deputy director under current DPS Director Steve McCraw, who will be retiring at the end of the year.
Martin will begin his new role on Dec. 1.
"Growing up as one of 13 kids in New Deal, I never could have imagined this day," said Martin. "For the past three decades, it has been a privilege to work alongside the dedicated and character-driven individuals who embody the core values of this agency. The opportunity to lead this organization that I love is the honor of a lifetime. I am deeply honored and grateful to the Public Safety Commission and the governor for entrusting me with the leadership of this agency. I’m committed to carrying out our mission of protecting and serving the people of Texas."
According to his DPS biography, Martin played a key role in DPS’s response to several major incidents, including the Austin serial bomber, the Sutherland Springs mass shooting, Hurricane Harvey and Operation Lone Star.
He also established a Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio, co-developed the Texas Rangers Major Crime Scene Response Team program, and oversees programs and initiatives aimed at supporting local law enforcement.
Martin began his career with DPS in 1990 as a trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol division in Winnie. Over his career he worked in several roles, including Highway Patrol corporal in Lubbock, sergeant in the Narcotics Service in Houston, Texas Ranger sergeant in Houston, Texas Ranger lieutenant in Austin, Texas Ranger captain in the Office of Audit and Inspection, Texas Ranger captain and Texas Ranger major in Houston. In 2014, he was named regional commander for the Central Texas region. In 2018, he was appointed deputy director.