Submitted Report

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Corpus Christi District is opening its doors to the public with the launch of its first-ever Citizens’ Academy, offering residents a behind-the-scenes look at how the agency serves and protects Texans every day.

The four-week academy will run from Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 25, marking the first time the program has been offered in the Corpus Christi area. Sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DPS Corpus Christi District Office, located at 1922 South Padre Island Drive.

Participation is limited to 20 applicants, and each participant must commit to attending all eight sessions. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply.

The academy will introduce participants to the history and operations of DPS, including the legacy and expertise of the Texas Rangers, the Texas Highway Patrol, the DPS Criminal Investigations Division, and the agency’s state-of-the-art crime lab.

Students will receive interactive instruction on how Highway Patrol Troopers conduct traffic enforcement, perform arrest and control tactics, carry out DWI investigations, apply Use of Force principles, and investigate crashes. The academy will culminate during the week of June 22 with a district ride-along experience and a graduation ceremony on June 25.

DPS leadership says the academy provides a safe and educational environment for citizens to better understand the many public safety challenges faced across Texas. By the end of the program, participants will gain a clearer picture of how DPS functions and the critical services it provides statewide.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. on March 31, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Completed applications may be returned in person to:

Staff Sergeant Rob Mallory
DPS Citizen Academy Coordinator
1922 South Padre Island Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78416

Applications may also be emailed to: harold.mallory@dps.texas.gov

For those interested in learning firsthand how public safety operations work in Texas, this inaugural Citizens’ Academy offers a unique opportunity to step inside the world of DPS.

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