Texas Department of Public Safety:

An Inventory of Department of Public Safety Photographs (Clinton Sherrell collection) at the Texas State Archives, 1950-1961, undated

Agency History

In 1935, the 44th 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. Other divisions were added in later years, as needed (see divisional descriptions). A Certificate of Title Division was created in 1939 (House Bill 407, 46th Legislature, Regular Session) and administered by DPS until its transfer to the Highway Department in 1941.

By 1956, the Department had reconstituted the Headquarters Division into a number of major divisions and had added several new divisions to create a total of fourteen, each of which was headed by a Chief who answered to the Director. To alleviate this unwieldy structure, the 55th Legislature authorized the reorganization of DPS (House Bill 325, Regular Session, 1957). The Department then created six regional commands, each headed by a senior officer who was placed in command of the region's Highway Patrol, License and Weight program, Motor Vehicle Inspection program, Driver's License program, Communications, and Safety Education Service. Each Regional Headquarters also contained a limited crime laboratory. The Texas Rangers were assigned to six companies, each headed by a captain, with the same boundaries as the regional commands. The Narcotics and Intelligence Sections operated state-wide out of the Austin headquarters. Supporting headquarters divisions, sections and bureaus were consolidated into four divisions: Identification and Criminal Records; Personnel and Staff Services; Driver and Vehicle Records; and the Inspection and Planning Division.

By this time DPS had evolved into the state police agency, charged with enforcing laws, preserving order, and protecting the rights, privileges, property, and well-being of Texas citizens. Its responsibilities fell into three major categories: crime suppression and control, motor vehicle highway transportation and management, and disaster and emergency activities. To meet these responsibilities, the Department's divisions operated the following programs: crime control, police traffic supervision, driver licensing, vehicle inspection, safety responsibility, accident records, safety education, disaster and emergency services, and police training. It enforced criminal laws in cooperation with local, federal, and other state law enforcement agencies.

The policy making body of DPS is the three member Texas Public Safety Commission, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for overlapping six year terms. The positions are non-salaried and the governor appoints the chair. All members must have knowledge of the law, experience in law enforcement, honesty, integrity, education, and executive ability. The Commission appoints a Public Safety Director to serve as the executive officer of DPS.

(Sources include: Guide to Texas State Agencies, various editions; the agency's website, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ ; and earlier finding aids.)

Scope and Contents of the Records

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state police agency, charged with enforcing laws, preserving order, and protecting the rights, privileges, property, and well-being of Texas citizens. Photographs were made by DPS photographers to document or promote the activities of the various divisions, personnel, training, equipment, and facilities. These records consist of photographs created by the DPS photo lab. This particular collection consists of negatives produced by Clinton Starnes Sherrell, who appears to have been a staff photographer for the Texas Department of Public Safety in the 1950s and 1960s, seemingly based in the Beaumont field office. Dated photographs span the period 1950-1961. Undated, original negatives appear to have been taken within this same time period. The images consist of black-and-white negatives, most in 4-by-5 format. Descriptions in the finding aid were transcribed by State Archives staff and volunteers from labels written on the envelopes by DPS staff at the time the negatives were made. In 2011 digital images were scanned by a volunteer of 74 of the 660 negatives in the collection.

To prepare this inventory, the described materials were cursorily reviewed to confirm the accuracy of contents lists, to provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record types.

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Materials do not circulate, but may be used in the State Archives search room. Materials will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by staff members.

Restrictions on Use

Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).

Technical Requirements

Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.

Related Material

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Texas Department of Public Safety photographs (Clinton Sherrell collection). Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 2008/071

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Tyrrell Historical Library, Beaumont, Texas, on January 15, 2008. Clinton Sherrell donated these items to the Tyrrell Historical Library, date unknown.

Processing Information

Processed by Kathryn Puerini, July 2011

Detailed Description of the Records