The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) invites the public to attend the DPS Museum Day on Sunday, Sept. 18, as part of Austin Museum Day, which features free exhibits and interactive activities at participating Austin-area museums and cultural sites. The DPS Historical Museum and Research Center is sponsoring the free public event at DPS Headquarters, Training Academy Building (5805 N. Lamar Blvd., Building C, Austin, TX 78752) from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18.
The theme for this year’s event is “A Recruit’s World” and will feature a variety of interactive activities, including an obstacle course, physical fitness activity, and games of logic and skill to simulate some of the skills required of actual DPS Training Academy recruits. Participants who complete the course will receive a “Senior Trooper” patch and can take a photo with a DPS Trooper. Children and adults also can tour the academy, meet current recruits, watch vintage recruiting films and visit an assortment of displays from various DPS divisions as well as the Texas Ranger Museum and DPS Foundation.
Visitors also can see the Harley-Davidson motorcycle once owned by former Gov. Ann Richards, which was donated to DPS.
In addition, visitors can meet the officers and animals of DPS’ Mounted Horse Patrol Unit and Canine Unit. A vintage patrol car and motorcycle, along with vintage trooper uniforms, will be on display representing the department’s rich history in Texas. Equipment, vehicles and resources currently used by the department will be showcased, including:
- Crime Lab Crime Scene Vehicle, which is regularly deployed to crime scenes to assist in the investigation of crimes in Texas;
- Harley-Davidson Road King Police Motorcycle and the Bike Patrol, assigned to patrol the Capitol Complex in Austin;
- San Jacinto Communications/Command platform, 45-foot self-contained mobile communications command center that deploys across Texas in response to natural disasters, law enforcement events and other emergency situations;
- Mounted Horse Patrol Unit, which consists of troopers on horseback, who are assigned to patrol the Capitol Complex;
- Canine Unit, which uses specially-trained dogs to search for drugs and explosives; and
- Texas Ranger SWAT Team will be displaying various equipment used on a daily basis for training or during calls that require special skills.
(News release from the Texas Dept. of Public Safety)