DPS Museum Day Offers Interactive Fun for Families

September 14, 2015
Exhibits to include patrol cars, motorcycles and crime lab vehicle

Mounted Patrol
Mounted Patrol

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DPS Canine

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) invites the public to attend the DPS Museum Day on Sunday, Sept. 20, as part of Austin Museum Day, which features free exhibits and interactive activities at participating Austin-area museums and cultural sites. The DPS Historical Museum and Research Center is sponsoring the free public event at DPS Headquarters (5805 N. Lamar Blvd., Building A, Austin, TX 78752) from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

The DPS event will feature a variety of interactive activities, including a scavenger hunt for children that will allow them to meet law enforcement officers, emergency management personnel and crime lab scientists. Children who complete the scavenger hunt will also receive “Junior Trooper” certificates and can take a photo with a DPS trooper. Children can also assist officers in conducting a mock inspection of a commercial tractor trailer truck and watch rollover and seatbelt convincer demonstrations in action.

In addition, visitors can meet the officers and animals of DPS’ Mounted Horse Patrol Unit and Canine Unit. A vintage patrol car and motorcycle, along with vintage trooper uniforms, will be on display representing the department’s rich history in Texas. Equipment, vehicles and resources currently used by the department will be showcased, including:

  • Crime Lab Crime Scene Vehicle, which is regularly deployed to crime scenes to assist in the investigation of crimes in Texas;
  • Harley-Davidson Road King Police Motorcycle and the Bike Patrol, assigned to patrol the Capitol Complex in Austin;
  • San Jacinto Communications/Command platform, 45-foot self-contained mobile communications command center that deploys across Texas in response to natural disasters, law enforcement events and other emergency situations;
  • Mounted Horse Patrol Unit, which consists of troopers on horseback, who are assigned to patrol the Capitol Complex;
  • Canine Unit, which uses specially trained dogs to search for narcotics and explosives; and
  • Texas Ranger SWAT Team BearCat armored personnel carrier, which is deployed when responding to critical incidents of a high-risk nature.

Vintage DPS Unifotms and Vehicle
Vintage DPS Unifotms and Vehicle

SWAT Team BearCat
SWAT Team BearCat

Crime Lab Crime Scene Vehicle
Crime Lab Crime Scene Vehicle











DPS is one of many museum venues around Austin that will open their doors free of charge for Austin Museum Day on Sunday, Sept. 20. For a complete list of activities, please visit: Austin Museum Partnership - Austin Museum Day.

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