Freeman F. Martin, Senior Deputy Director, has been appointed as the fourteenth Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The DPS said that Martin, a seasoned law enforcement veteran and the first Texas Ranger in history to undertake the position, will take over after current Director Steven C. McCraw retires. DPS said in an official statement that McCraw will retire on November 30, after a 15-year term.
Martin was unanimously selected for the top position after a selection process that was started by McCraw’s declaration on August 23 and the Public Safety Commission’s (PSC) creation of a screening panel. “With a wealth of experience in law enforcement and a strong commitment to uphold the rule of law, Freeman Martin is the right choice to lead the Texas Department of Public Safety and will be instrumental to ensure the safety and security of Texans,”Governor Greg Abbott remarked in the DPS announcement. Martin’s unmatched departmental knowledge and commitment to service were praised by the PSC, including Chairman Steven P. Mach.
His Texas roots go as deep as his dedication to the agency’s basic ideals. “Growing up as one of 13 kids in New Deal – I never could have imagined this day,” Martin said of the appointment. Since joining DPS in 1990 as a Highway Patrol Trooper, he has advanced through the ranks and assumed important positions. According to the DPS statement, Martin has had a noteworthy impact on the department as the Senior Deputy Director, participating in a variety of operations that include homeland security, crime prevention, and crisis management.
Martin’s leadership amid crises like Hurricane Harvey and the Sutherland Springs mass massacre, as well as the founding of the Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio, are among his noteworthy accomplishments while at DPS. Martin will officially assume directing responsibilities on December 2 at DPS headquarters in Austin, where he will also be sworn in. The legacy of McCraw’s 15 years of leadership will be passed on to a successor who has devoted more than 30 years to Texas law enforcement and its changing challenges as he gets ready to retire.
TexasDPStrace’s history dates back to 1823, when the legendary Texas Rangers were founded. Today, the department employs more than 11,000 people and has a biennial budget of more over $2 billion. With Martin’s vast experience and the traditions of an agency ingrained in Texan history, their broad purpose to serve and protect the people of Texas is poised to continue under his watchful eye.
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