DPS graduates newest K-9 teams to protect Texans

Published on July 17, 2026

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety on Friday graduated five new K-9 teams and two certified K-9 tech trainers ready to serve and protect Texans.

“DPS’s K-9 teams are a critical resource to this department and our partner law enforcement agencies, supporting our shared mission to protect and serve Texas,” said Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee. “From sniffing out dangerous drugs during traffic stops to identifying explosive devices at high-volume traffic areas or at major events, the work these dogs and their handlers do plays a unique, specialized role in keeping all of us safe.”

DPS said that as part of its K-9 program, it has a total of 105 personnel, including 92 handlers, 64 narcotic detection K-9s, 14 explosive detection K-9s, and 14 tracking K-9s.

The newest graduates were four teams for narcotic detection and one team for explosive detection, according to DPS.

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