Texas DPS Graduates 122 New State Troopers

Recruits complete rigorous 30-week training program to join the Texas Highway Patrol

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:59pm

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The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) welcomed 122 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from Recruit Class C-2025 during a graduation ceremony in Austin. The class was selected from 1,685 applicants and completed over 1,200 hours of comprehensive training to prepare them for duty across the state.

Why it matters

The graduation of this new class of state troopers is an important milestone for the DPS, which is responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing laws across Texas. These new troopers will be deployed to communities throughout the state, providing critical law enforcement services and emergency response capabilities.

The details

The 122 graduates completed a rigorous 30-week training program at the DPS Training Academy, covering topics such as criminal and traffic law enforcement, crash investigation, crisis intervention, use of force, criminal investigations, communications, cultural diversity, fitness and wellness, and emergency medical assistance. The training also included a Field Training Exercise (FTX) where recruits participated in simulated scenarios to test their skills. The class includes 99 men, 23 women, 33 military veterans, and 68 individuals who speak more than one language.

  • The 30-week Training Academy began on August 24, 2025.
  • The graduates will report to their duty stations across Texas on April 12, 2026.

The players

J. Noe Diaz

Houston Police Chief and a proud member of DPS Recruit Class A-1996, who served in the Texas Highway Patrol, Narcotics Division, and as a Texas Ranger.

Freeman F. Martin

DPS Colonel, who stated that Class C-2025 is the "most skilled, best prepared class of recruits the Texas Department of Public Safety has ever turned out."

Public Safety Commission

The commission, including Chairman Steven P. Mach and Commissioners Nelda Luce Blair, Dan Hord, III, Larry B. Long and Steven H. Stodghill, were in attendance to congratulate the graduating class.

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What they’re saying

“I've walked the road you're about to take. The miles will be long, but the honor of serving Texas will make every one of them worth it.”

— J. Noe Diaz, Houston Police Chief

“Class C-2025 is the most skilled, best prepared class of recruits the Texas Department of Public Safety has ever turned out. We are incredibly proud to have each of these 122 men and women sitting here today, ready to head out to duty stations across the state of Texas and get to work protecting the communities and people that need them most.”

— Freeman F. Martin, DPS Colonel

What’s next

The newly commissioned Troopers will report to their duty stations across Texas on April 12.

The takeaway

The graduation of this new class of 122 state troopers is an important milestone for the Texas Department of Public Safety, as they will be deployed across the state to provide critical law enforcement services and emergency response capabilities to communities in need.