Freeman F. Martin became the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Dec. 1, 2024 – the first Texas Ranger to ascend to the position. He now leads the agency of over 11,000 commissioned and non-commissioned personnel charged with ensuring the safety and security of Texas.

Colonel Freeman Martin, a former Texas Ranger and deputy director of the DPS, was sworn in by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a change of command ceremony outside the Texas DPS headquarters in Austin. Martin is replacing Col. Steve McCraw, who announced last summer he was retiring after 15 years.