AUSTIN, Texas — A swearing in ceremony was held Monday for the new director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state's largest law enforcement entity made up of more than 11,000 personnel.
Colonel Freeman Martin, a former Texas Ranger and deputy DPS director, was sworn in by Gov. Greg Abbott in a change of command ceremony outside DPS headquarters in Austin. According to his DPS biography, Martin has played a key role in the agency's response to several major incidents, including the Austin serial bomber, the Sutherland Springs mass shooting, the Hurricane Harvey response and Operation Lone Star, Abbott's border crackdown on illegal crossings.
A native of New Deal, Texas, Martin is DPS' 14th director and "brings an extraordinary wealth of experience," Abbott is quoted as saying in a release.
"He has the knowledge at every level and every subject matter that is important to leading this remarkable agency," Abbott went on to say. "He will ensure Texas remains a law-and-order state and safeguard the public safety of Texans."
Martin is replacing Col. Steve McCraw, who announced last summer he was retiring after 15 years, having previously worked with the FBI and taking the mantle of Texas Homeland Security director until his appointment as DPS director in 2009.
Martin was chosen unanimously by the five-member Public Safety Commission as the next director of DPS. He is the first Texas Ranger in the department's history to be named director.