PRESS RELEASE: TSTA Congratulates DPS Director Freeman F. Martin

(Austin, TX) – The Texas Department of Public Safety swore in its new director, 30-year veteran of law enforcement Freeman F. Martin, on Monday morning.

“Director Martin is a seasoned veteran of not only the department but law enforcement in general," said Rohnnie Shaw, Executive Director of Texas State Troopers Association. "He is an excellent choice to lead the agency. TSTA looks forward to collaborating with the new Director to improve the lives and working conditions of all the officers and employees of DPS."

Gov. Greg Abbott administered the oath to formally swear in Director Martin, who will serve as the 14th Director of DPS now that former director Steven McCraw has retired.

“TSTA is grateful to Col. Steven McCraw for his years of service. He was an excellent leader for the department, and we wish him well in his retirement,” said Cris Lalonde, President of the TSTA Board. “We are excited to welcome Director Martin to his new post and to work with him.”

Director Martin has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

He began his career with DPS in 1990 as a Highway Patrol trooper. He rose through the ranks to Texas Ranger Major in Houston before being appointed Deputy Director of Homeland Security Operations and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2018.

Lt. Col. Martin’s appointment to the Director role by the Public Safety Commission was a unanimous decision. He is the first Texas Ranger to become the director of the DPS.

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