The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has garnered national attention, receiving the 2024 Officer Wellness Award from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. DPS' Fitness Wellness Unit (FWU), lauded for its efforts to bolster the well-being of its personnel, was recognized at the Destination Zero National Officer Safety and Wellness Awards in Washington, D.C., as reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The FWU's initiatives have had a meaningful impact on improving the physical and mental health of DPS employees statewide.
DPS Director Steven McCraw said, “The physical and mental health of our employees—commissioned and non-commissioned—is imperative to DPS’ mission to serve and protect Texas,” as stated by the DPS. He suggested the award is a testimony to the FWU's dedication, with efforts that reverberate through the life of the agency's personnel, during and post their service. With an expansion since its 2010 launch, the unit now encompasses various wellness educational programs and extends its knowledge to other agencies across Texas and surrounding states.
Director McCraw's sentiment was echoed in the DPS announcement, stating, “This award is a testament to the Fitness Wellness Unit’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the overall well-being of our agency’s personnel both while they serve and after they retire from a life of service.”
Images and details around the DPS' FWU receiving the national honor can be found on the official DPS website, offering a glimpse into the initiatives that have earned the team such esteemed accolades.