The Training Academy within the Texas Department of Public Safety, Administrative Division, Staff Support Services Unit, Training Bureau provides basic, intermediate, and advanced training and education for the state's law enforcement officers according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) mandated curriculums, and also operates civilian training programs including administrative training for Department of Public Safety employees. Recruit trainees are prepared for service as troopers in the Highway Patrol and Driver License Divisions; experienced troopers may be promoted to the Criminal Law Enforcement Division, the Texas Ranger Division, and the Administrative Division.

In 1935, the 44th Texas Legislature (Senate Bill 146, Regular Session), responding to recommendations made in 1933 by the Joint Legislative Committee on Organization and Economy, created the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for the purpose of placing under a single jurisdiction the state's functions in crime prevention and traffic control programs. The original Department was composed of the Texas Rangers, removed from the Adjutant General's Department; the State Highway Patrol, taken from the State Highway Department; and the Headquarters Division, composed of the Bureau of Identification and Records, the Bureau of Intelligence, the Bureau of Communications, the Bureau of Education, and various administrative and service units.

DPS training operations were originally under the control of its Bureau of Education and led by the Assistant Director of DPS (though the 1937 Legislature mandated that the Chief be appointed by the Director (House Bill 774, 45th Legislature, Regular Session)). The Bureau was to organize training facilities and teach schools for the members of the Department and for other peace officers, and to instruct them in the duties and functions of the Department. The Bureau was also to teach selected county and municipal peace officers and to educate citizens in matters of public safety and crime prevention and detection. The Adjutant General was to provide the buildings, land, and equipment in Camp Mabry. The University of Texas was to assist in the organization and instruction of classes as needed. In spite of its nominal placement under the Headquarters Division, legislative appropriation bills listed the Bureau under the Highway Patrol for many years. By 1996 this bureau seems to have been incorporated into Staff Support Service under the Administrative Division.

Recruit training schools were held at Camp Mabry from 1930 through 1955, when recruit training operations were moved to the newly completed Law Enforcement Academy at the DPS Headquarters Complex in North Austin. The training course originally lasted seven weeks and was run as a semi-military organization, with drills and permits required for leave. The first class graduated 49 highway patrolmen. One of the students in the first recruit training school, and the commanding officer of the second through sixth recruit schools was Lieutenant Homer Garrison, Jr., who became the first Assistant Director of DPS when it was organized in 1935, and soon after served as its Director (and chief of the Texas Rangers) from 1938 to 1968, with the rank of Colonel. The Law Enforcement Academy was renamed as the Homer Garrison, Jr. Law Enforcement Academy in 1973. The Academy comprises classrooms, a library, auditorium, dormitory rooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, both an indoor and outdoor firing range, and staff and conference space.

When DPS was reorganized in 1957, the training program was revised to divide the recruit training school into two parts, the first part attended by all recruits, and the second part divided into four separate programs for entering the Highway Patrol, License and Weight, Motor Vehicle Inspection, or Driver License service. This system was consolidated in 1970 to a comprehensive training program that prepared recruits for all services. As of 2006 each training school lasts twenty-six weeks, and usually two schools are held each year. Each class graduates an average of 100 new troopers. Subjects taught are driver license laws, state traffic laws, use of force laws, firearms training, first responder, operational skills, physical and defense tactics, advanced communication skills, effective report writing, advanced first aid, and DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) detection. All recruits are required to pass a written licensing test administered by TCLEOSE. All personnel attend a one-week in-service refresher school every two years.

By 2006, the Academy had a training staff of 15 commissioned officers, nine sergeants, four lieutenants, and one captain led by the Commander of the Academy. Clerical support was provided by nine secretaries, two clerical supervisors, an assistant clerical supervisor, two receptionists, and a supply specialist.

(Sources include: DPS Staff Support Service web page, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/#staffsupport; DPS Training Academy web page, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/trainingacademy/Police_Training/overview.htm; DPS Trooper Training web page, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/trainingacademy/Trooper_Trainee/traineelinks.htm, all accessed July 13, 2006; and the records themselves.)