State study recommends DPS overhaul

[brianko]

It appears DPS isn't only dysfunctional when it comes to processing CHL applications. There's an article in today's DMN (11/1, page 3A) that cites a state-sponsored study calling for the overhaul of DPS. Can't find the link on http://www.dallasnews.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; at the moment, but here's a synopsis:

Study calls for major overhaul of agency

The state's top law enforcement agency...is in need of a major overhaul, according to a report released Friday.

"The recommendations call for a fundamental makeover of the department," Drew Beckley of Deloitte Consulting wrote to Allan Polunsky, chariman of the Texas Public Safety Commission. Polunsky said DPS will implement major changes, although it will take several years.

A legislative report this year outlined many problems that were mentioned in the study, including the handling of driver's licenses and vehicle inspections, inadequate technology, and communications in the event of a terror attack.

Here's a link to the official DPS press release:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_s ... 103108.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Deloitte report itself is here:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_s ... 102808.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The term "concealed" appears four times in the report (pages 10, 24, and 64), but specific problems with the Concealed Handgun Licensing unit do not appear to be addressed in the report.

[brianko]

Looks like seamusTX beat me to the punch on this one! (Wonder why his post wasn't visible when I initially searched?)

Moderators, please feel free to whack this duplicate thread!

[seamusTX]

You did a better job of looking up related information than I did. The moderators can lock mine, since no one replied to it.

- Jim

[G.C.Montgomery]

It appears DPS isn't only dysfunctional when it comes to processing CHL applications...The term "concealed" appears four times in the report (pages 10, 24, and 64), but specific problems with the Concealed Handgun Licensing unit do not appear to be addressed in the report.

The report only uses the term concealed for times but the word handgun or handguns appears a little more often than that. When you run a search using handgun, you'll find there are recommendations to consolidate drivers' licenses, security as well as concealed handgun licensing into the same administrative group reporting to one director. The report also notes that in the drivers' license section alone, 200 commissioned officers are tied up handling administrative functions that are handled by civilians in most other states. In general, the report recommends that many tasks currently handled by commissioned officers be transferred from commissioned officers to civilians