The following is a news release from the Texas DPS:
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) invites the public to attend DPS Museum Day on Sunday, Sept. 23, 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 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (The event will take place at the Training Academy, Building C, located at 5805 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78752.)
The theme for this year’s event is “Picture Yourself in Their Boots.” The program will feature a variety of interactive activities and photo opportunities, including vintage uniform dress-up and “selfie stations,” as well as an informational scavenger hunt. Participants in the scavenger hunt will be encouraged to get a photo at each station, and those who complete the scavenger hunt will receive a “Junior Trooper” certificate. Children and adults can also tour the Training Academy, meet current DPS Troopers and Special Agents, and visit a variety of displays from various DPS divisions and the Texas Ranger Museum.
Visitors can also meet the DPS officers of the Texas Ranger SWAT Team and the Capitol Complex Motorcycle Unit, as well as the officers and animals of the Mounted Horse Patrol and Canine Units. A vintage DPS patrol car and motorcycle, along with vintage Trooper uniforms, will be on display representing the department’s rich history in Texas. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle once owned by former Gov. Ann Richards and donated to DPS will also be on display. Equipment, vehicles and resources currently used by the department will also be showcased, including:
- Crime Lab Crime Scene Vehicle, which is regularly deployed to crime scenes to assist in the investigation of crimes;
- DPS Airbus AS350 helicopter, which is utilized for various missions including criminal patrol, border interdiction, Texas Homeland Security, and search and rescue;
- Harley-Davidson Road King Police Motorcycle and the Bike Patrol, both assigned to patrol the Capitol Complex in Austin;
- Mounted Horse Patrol Unit, which consists of Troopers on horseback who are also assigned to patrol the Capitol Complex;
- Canine Unit, which uses specially-trained dogs to search for drugs and explosives; and
- Various equipment from the Texas Ranger SWAT Team that is used on a daily basis for training or during calls that require special skills.
DPS is one of many museum venues around Austin that will open their doors free of charge for Austin Museum Day on Sunday, Sept. 23. For a complete list of participants and activities, visit the Austin Museum Day website.
(News release from the Texas Department of Public Safety)