Col. Steve McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), has announced his pending retirement, as reported by KVUE. After serving the department since 2009, McCraw plans to depart at the close of this year. His announcement came during a DPS officer graduation ceremony in Austin.
Over the years, McCraw's tenure has seen significant events, including the inception of Operation Lone Star in 2021—a contentious border security operation. Following the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, McCraw became further recognized for the actions of officers under his command, which drew criticism. McCraw told CNN in a speech given after he broke the news of his retirement famously, ironically, on Sept. 9, 2022 "he would resign if his troopers had “any culpability” in the flawed police response to that school shooting," KVUE reported.
According to a Texas Tribune report, McCraw has been with the DPS since starting as a trooper for the Texas Highway Patrol in 1977 before his stint as an FBI special agent, hampering his career with the FBI in 2004 to take on the role of Texas Homeland Security Director in the Office of the Governor.
While discussing his decision at the graduation ceremony, McCraw expressed confidence that Governor Greg Abbott would find a suitable successor, saying, "It’s rather an easy thing to do, because I know Gov. Greg Abbott will ensure that my replacement is as good and likely better than I am at this particular job." Locally, McCraw also contributed to the on-and-off partnership between DPS and the Austin Police Department, enlisting DPS troopers to help with staffing issues, according to KVUE's coverage.
