So, You Wanna Know How Many Texas DPS Troopers There Are? Buckle Up, Buttercup!
Ever been cruising down a dusty Texas highway, whistling along to your favorite Willie Nelson tune, when you see those flashing red and blue lights in the rearview mirror? Yeah, that's the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) knocking on your window (metaphorically, unless you rolled it down). But how many of these highway heroes are out there, keeping our roads safe (and reminding us to put the phone down)?
Here's the Lowdown (with a Hint of Maybe):
The exact number of Texas DPS troopers is a bit of a mystery, shrouded in more secrecy than a Texas billionaire's tax return. We do know, however, that the Texas Highway Patrol, the trooper branch of the DPS, boasted a mighty fine force of around 2,802 sworn troopers as of 2021. That's a whole lotta boots on the ground (or should we say, asphalt?).
But is that enough? Texas is a big state, y'all. Bigger than France, to be exact. And with all that wide-open space comes a lot of highway to patrol. Some folks reckon Texas needs more troopers than a rodeo has clowns (which is saying something).
Trooper:Texan Ratio - A Hilarious Look (with Math, but Not Too Much)
Here's where things get a touch mathematical, but don't worry, we'll keep it light. Back in 2021, with those 2,802 troopers, Texas had roughly 11 troopers per 100,000 residents. Sounds impressive, right? Well, the national average is closer to 23 troopers per 100,000. So, compared to the rest of the US, Texas troopers are spread a bit thin, like butter on a giant Texas waffle.
The Bottom Line (or Maybe the Punchline):
There are enough Texas DPS troopers to make sure you don't outrun the law in a souped-up pickup truck (probably). But with its vast size and ever-growing population, Texas might need to consider recruiting some more folks to keep those highways safe. Hey, maybe they can offer a "Trooper for a Day" program. You get the cool hat and a ride-along, they get some free PR. Win-win!
