Head of Texas DPS congratulates police

The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety was in Brownsville to help congratulate employees of the police department whose actions many times go unrecognized.

In a small banquet, DPS Director Steven McCraw praised the nominated staff from the Brownsville Police Department who received plaques for their service.

"Excellence can’t be achieved in moderation," McCraw said.

The awards ceremony is a yearly event designed to recognize those who at first glance perform a small job but are in fact an integral part of the department, Police Chief Carlos Garcia said.

"It’s very easy to recognize heroic actions and those who save a life," Garcia said. "We need to also recognize those that come in day after day and perform their duties."

Garcia presented awards to nominated employees from every section of the department, from a maintenance worker to members of the burglary unit and the narcotics unit.

"People usually see the uniformed officers," Garcia said. "They don’t see all those other employees who make this department run."

After the ceremony, McCraw said DPS has been working with their local and federal partners in law enforcement to keep border violence from spilling over.

DPS is coordinating intelligence and manpower with 43 sheriff’s departments and 39 police departments, to increase their patrol on the border areas and act as a deterrent for any spillover, McCraw said.

DPS has also deployed 15 state of the art helicopters with night vision throughout the border.

During the interview, McCraw said he’s been pleasantly impressed with local police.

"You can always count on Chief Garcia and the police department," he said.