Governor Abbott delivers keynote address at Texas DPS graduation

AUSTIN, Texas - Governor Greg Abbott has delivered the keynote address at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commencement Ceremony today in Austin. 

Officials say that the A-2021 Trooper Training Class is the largest graduating class in the history of the Texas DPS with 145 graduating recruits. This was the department’s 167th recruit class, with recruits ranging in age from 21 to 50 years old. 

This year’s class also included 21 females graduating, the most in one recruit class.

The ceremony took place at Great Hills Baptist Church on Jollyville Road at the Worship Center. 

"Texas is exceptional because of the people who call our state home, and it is your fellow Texans that you have sworn to protect and serve as you join the most elite state law enforcement agency in the nation," Abbott said. "On behalf of the Lone Star State, we are so grateful for your sacrifice and commitment to serving your communities. You will face challenges along the way, but never forget that what you do matters. It matters to the over 29 million Texans who depend on you every single day to keep our communities safe. And I have no doubt that after today, our state will be made safer by the brave men and women in this room." 

This year’s recruit class includes 16 people from other states, including Florida, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. There are 40 veterans and 22 recruits with prior law enforcement experience in Class A-2021. 

The recruits will report to their individual duty stations on Aug. 23.

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