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DPS creates Homeland Security Division, names leadership and approves multiple promotions
Summary
The Public Safety Commission on Aug. 7 approved creation of a Homeland Security Division at the Texas Department of Public Safety, confirmed Gerald Brown as chief and Mike George as assistant chief, and ratified a series of internal promotions filling training, regional and investigative leadership posts.
The Public Safety Commission voted Aug. 7 to create a Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety and to combine homeland security functions and intelligence/counterterrorism under a single organizational structure.
Colonel Steven Martin described Senate Bill 36 as the statutory basis for the division and said the new unit will consolidate statewide intelligence, critical‑infrastructure protection, threat assessment and exercise planning. "This division is designed to do that," Martin said, describing the need to co‑locate analysis, planning and operations to better coordinate responses to threats and critical‑infrastructure risks.
Commissioners approved the appointment of Gerald Brown as chief of the Homeland Security Division effective Sept. 1, 2025, and Mike George as assistant chief for Homeland Security Operations; Amy Hawk — already an assistant chief in intelligence and counterterrorism — will remain in that leadership team. The motion that created the division and confirmed the two appointments was moved, seconded, amended to include the org‑chart change, and passed unanimously.
Separately, the commission approved a package of promotions and appointments to fill vacancies created by those moves and by retirements: Derek Prestridge was named chief of the Training Operations Division and Jason Griffin assistant chief, Training Operations; Kyle Matheson was appointed Regional Chief of the Southeast Texas region; Corey Lane was appointed Regional Chief of the Northwest Texas region; Jason Bobo was named assistant chief of the Texas Ranger Division; Devin Gonzalez was appointed assistant chief of the Criminal Investigations Division; and Benjamin ("Eddie") Wilson was appointed assistant chief of Infrastructure Operations. All appointments were effective Sept. 1, 2025, and were approved by roll call without recorded opposition.
Colonel Martin described the Homeland Security Division as a significant expansion of DPS capabilities, citing duties that include the statewide homeland security strategic plan, threat and hazard assessments, exercises, and critical infrastructure liaison programs. He said the new structure will create capacity to deliver training and to coordinate intelligence with private‑sector partners and other state agencies.
Ending: The commission said it will publish an updated organizational chart reflecting the new division and the confirmed appointments; commissioners asked staff to include a names‑with‑positions chart in future binders.
