Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety proudly welcomed 138 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from recruit Class C-2024 during a graduation ceremony held at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin. This marks the department’s 177th graduating class.
Public Safety Commission Chairman Steven P. Mach delivered the keynote address to the class and their families. “Texas Highway Patrol Troopers in their distinctive Texas Tan uniforms and black and white patrol cars are a beacon of strength, bravery, and comfort in this state,” Chairman Mach remarked. “It is that courage and dedication that makes us so proud and extremely fortunate for your service.”
Chairman Mach was joined by fellow Public Safety Commissioners Nelda Luce Blair and Larry B. Long at the ceremony, along with DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin and other department leadership.
Colonel Martin addressed the new graduates, emphasizing the importance of their training and unique qualities. “You’ve made a promise to protect and serve,” said Colonel Martin. “While your training has prepared you for what you may encounter on the job – remember that each of you was selected to join DPS for a specific reason. We can’t graduate a Trooper if we start with the wrong person, and we can’t pin a badge on someone and make them something that they are not. You hold the intangibles that cannot be taught – you’re here today because of who you are at your core.”
The rigorous recruitment process for Class C-2024 was highly competitive, with 2,143 applicants for this class alone. Of those, only 179 were offered a spot, and just 155 recruits began the 30-week Training Academy. Ultimately, 138 recruits successfully completed the academy and were officially sworn in as new Troopers.
The 30-week in-residence academy required recruits to undergo more than 1,200 hours of instruction—far surpassing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement’s (TCOLE) minimum requirement of 736 hours. The comprehensive curriculum included training on criminal and traffic law enforcement, crash investigation, crisis intervention, use of force, criminal investigations, communications, cultural diversity, fitness and wellness, and emergency medical assistance. Recruits also received specialized training in Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, which covered trauma assessment, bleeding control, and the treatment of shock.
This extensive training ensures that the newly graduated Troopers are well-prepared to serve across the entire state of Texas, including in remote areas and difficult terrains. Their dedication and commitment to serving the people of Texas make them ready to face the challenges ahead as they step into their roles as Highway Patrol Troopers.
