Driven to serve

HAI@Work webinar presents pilot’s view of life at the Texas DPS aviation unit. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Aircraft Operations Division serves and protects people across more than 270,000 square miles. From patrol, surveillance, and transport to hoist-supported search and rescue, the division’s 15 helicopters and 9 airplanes work tirelessly year-round to keep everyone safe. During the HAI@Work webinar on May 13, Clay Lacey, a lieutenant pilot with the DPS, gave an insider’s view of life, missions, and daily operations at the law enforcement agency’s aviation unit as well as tips on how someone driven to service can join the team. “We exist in our organization to support our customers—the citizens we’re charged with serving and protecting—and our teams on the ground,” Lacey said before diving into a couple of moving videos and stories of the division’s more memorable missions. During his presentation, Lacey shared information on: The variety of missions the Texas DPS performs The equipment onboard the two types of helicopters the agency flies Special mission operations, including aerial use of force and water rescue How the division supports COVID-response efforts How someone interested in joining the team can make that dream a reality. “There’s nothing