Become part of a community of members whose lives are changed by this remarkable experience while preparing for college and careers.
The Texas Public Safety Association (TPSA) offers a unique Career Development Program designed to ignite the potential of students interested in the field of public safety. Through a series of competitive events held at various conferences, students are given the opportunity to challenge themselves, learn, and grow. These events not only foster competition but also equip students with essential skills and knowledge tailored to succeed in their chosen career paths within public safety. Join us in this exciting journey to cultivate the future leaders of public safety!
Some Messages
"TPSA has helped me become a better leader and team member by providing valuable lessons in key thinking, leadership skills and problem solving. These skills will enable me to better not only me but my team as well."
- Quinton
"Competing through TPSA helped jumpstart the passion in my career choice. Getting to try new things and learning so much early on made it easier to decide the route I’d take through university and beyond!"
- Lisette
"I've wanted a career in law enforcement since I was a little girl. Being a part of TPSA showed me I was making the right decision. Wearing the uniform and competing just felt natural."
- Hayley
New events, updated guidelines, and an opportunity to share your feedback We’re excited to share the proposed competitive event updates for the 2026–2027 school year. This year’s revisions include two new events, changes to existing competitions, and updates to scoring rubrics, required materials, and event instructions. These updates are still under review and are not final. Please take time to review the guidelines and rubrics for the events your chapter participates in and send your feedback to [email protected]. The highlights below will help you get started, but please review the full event requirements, not just this summary. Updates Across Events Professionalism scoring. Across most returning events, Professionalism is being separated into two criteria: Professional Dress and Professional Behavior, worth up to 5 points each. The combined total remains 10 points. In some events, these criteria are moving out of Delivery and into a separate Professionalism category. All paperwork will be provided by TPSA going forward. Competitors will no longer be allowed to bring in outside paper. New Events Law Enforcement: Public Service Announcement (LPPS) Competitors create a 30–60 second video focused on “Move Over, Slow Down” laws protecting emergency responders, tow truck drivers, and stranded motorists. The event combines accurate public safety information with creativity and effective messaging to raise community safety awareness. Correctional Services: Recruitment Video (CPRV) Competitors create a 45–90 second recruitment video promoting a career in corrections. Videos should accurately portray the profession and use clear, creative messaging to attract qualified candidates. Both new events are prepared, remotely judged video competitions for teams of 1–2 competitors, with up to 5 teams per chapter in each event. Videos must show all team members on camera, include a call to action and at least one statistic from a reputable source, and end with the TPSA logo. Entries containing copyrighted footage or music will be disqualified. Advisors submit videos through myTPSA at least 3 days before Regional Competition, with a new submission required before the State deadline for advancing teams. Law Enforcement Active Threat Response (ALERRT) — LRSW. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) is being reimagined as Active Threat Response, with an emphasis on forming a contact team, responding to an active threat, and providing casualty care. The event retains its six-person team and overall 20-minute limit, but removes the fixed planning and execution time split. The draft also requires at least one team member to hold a Stop the Bleed certification submitted online before competition. Facility Design — LPFD. The 3D model requirements specify that the Sally Port/Processing Area must match the corresponding aerial blueprint design. Report Writing — LSRW. The draft changes the laptop from competitor-provided to TPSA-provided. Competitors are instructed not to bring a laptop or USB drive to the event. TPSA will provide computers for competitors to write and submit their reports on. Suspect Apprehension — LSSA. Instructions clarify that competitors have 5 minutes to complete the course, but time is not a scoring factor. The revision also removes the previous “may not move on” language associated with several individual stations. Correctional Services Cell Extraction — CRCE. The team leader must develop and verbalize the plan with teammates before starting. Searching the inmate after removal becomes a separate criterion worth up to 4 points, with corresponding point reductions to handcuffing, leg irons, and double-lock criteria. Fire Service Public Service Announcement — FPPS. The theme changes to testing fire alarms and replacing their batteries regularly. All team members must appear in the video, although additional actors may participate. The rules also explicitly state that copyrighted footage or music will result in disqualification. First Responder — FRFR. Current Basic First Aid and CPR Training certifications must be submitted online before competition, replacing the requirement to present an original physical certification card. Search and Rescue — FSRR. The Bunker Gear stage specifies that competitors begin in a t-shirt, BDUs, and tennis shoes or boots before donning their gear. Forensic Science Crime Scene Investigation — SRCS. The opening task shifts from interviewing the first responding officer to reviewing case details and documenting the legality of the search and which ancillary agencies must be notified. Rubrics remove officer-interview scoring and increase the Evidence Log criterion from 5 to 10 points. The materials list also identifies TPSA-provided logs, notes, sketch paper, and photo placard materials, along with a new event paperwork document. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis — SSBS. Rubric revisions clarify the Area of Origin distance thresholds, correct an inverted scoring description, and expand partial-credit options. The Demonstrate by Stringing criterion also revises the descriptions distinguishing the actual and calculated areas of origin. Fingerprint Collection and Analysis — SSFC. Absorbent pads, a flashlight, and legal-size white copy paper are explicitly marked as optional materials. Fiber Analysis — SSHA. The assessment activity itself changes from 20 to 15 minutes. A TPSA-provided answer document replaces the written-summary format. Rubrics introduce more detailed scoring for microscope and burn-test findings, revise identification and evidence-packaging scores, and remove the slide-labeling requirement. Cross-Cluster Events Job Exhibit — XPJE. The presentation time limit changes from 15 to 10 minutes. Several rubric criteria gain expanded scoring ranges, and Preparedness adds an Unsatisfactory scoring option. These revisions affect presentation delivery and several career-research criteria. Drone NIST / Search and Rescue. Revisions remain in development for the 2027 State Conference. Review and Share Your Feedback Please review the event guidelines, scoring rubrics, materials lists, and supporting documents with your competitors. We want to hear about unclear instructions, scoring concerns, equipment requirements, or changes that would better reflect the skills students are learning. Email your feedback to [email protected]. Include the event name, the specific requirement or rubric criterion you are addressing, and your suggested change. Providing the wording or section you are referring to will help us review your feedback. Thank you for taking the time to help improve TPSA’s competitive events. Your experience in the classroom and at competition is an important part of getting these updates right.
Connor Winston
Oct 9, 2026
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year. TPSA has been working hard to get this year ready, and we've listened closely to the feedback we've received from students, advisors and judges. Your voices have helped shape what's ahead, and we're excited to share it with you. This year, our theme is Built for the Moment, and it's more than a slogan. It's a reminder that the work we do, the students we serve, and the community we've built came together for exactly this time. Through the work we all do, students across Texas get the chance to step into the world of public safety, test their skills, and discover what they're capable of. The challenges in front of us are real, but so is our readiness. Every competitor, advisor, and lesson learned has prepared us to step up when it matters most. The students who compete with TPSA are developing the skills that public safety careers demand: integrity, communication, sound judgment, and a commitment to serving others. Whether they go on to become law enforcement officers, attorneys, forensic scientists, dispatchers, firefighters, or something else entirely, the habits they build here will follow them. Being built for the moment means showing up with purpose, adapting with confidence, and leading with heart. It means supporting one another, staying curious, and keeping our focus on the things that matter. Whether you're a longtime member or visiting for the first time, I invite you to explore what TPSA has to offer, get involved, and add your voice to ours. This is our moment, and we're stronger together. With gratitude, Melissa Hollingsworth TPSA President
Melissa Hollingsworth
Oct 9, 2026
The FY26 Rulebook has been updated to formally codify standard operating procedures for scoring inquiries and judge interactions. These updates ensure transparency and consistency across all events. Scoring Inquiry and Correction Policy This policy clarifies our protocol for investigating scoring irregularities and puts it in writing to ensure all issues are handled through the proper channels. The full policy text is available in the FY26 Rulebook, please read the full policy in the rulebook. Only Chapter Advisors may submit inquiries regarding scoring. All requests must be sent to [email protected] within 5 business days of the event. Judge Communication & Competitive Integrity Strict guidelines now govern interactions between participants and judges to maintain competitive fairness and protect our volunteers. The full policy text is available in the FY26 Rulebook. Advisors, students, and parents are strictly prohibited from contacting judges regarding scoring results, placements, or feedback. Judges are volunteers who dedicate their time solely to the conference; they do not consent to unsolicited communication regarding their decisions once the event has concluded. Attempting to determine the identity of a judge (if not explicitly known) for the purpose of challenging results, obtaining insight into a judge's preferences or specific scoring methodology, or any other reason that compromises the integrity of the event is prohibited. Receiving private feedback or explanations from a judge constitutes a Competitive Integrity Violation. Obtaining insight into a judge's preferences or specific scoring methodology outside of the official feedback provided to all teams creates an unfair advantage for future competitions (e.g., advancing from Regionals to State, or future years). Communication is permitted only if a judge explicitly and personally invites a student to reach out (e.g., for mentorship or professional networking). In this instance, the student must still obtain approval from their Chapter Advisor and parent/guardian before engaging. This exception does not authorize the discussion of specific scoring decisions from the recent competition.
Connor Winston
Feb 17, 2026
If you have competitors in the Fire Service Public Service Announcement event, please read and review the below instructions on how to submit the PSA videos prior to the conference. This is a prepared event. There is no in-person presentation at the conference. All video entries are judged prior to the competition per the guidelines. Submission Timeline Specific deadlines with exact dates/times are available in myTPSA Opens: The day following the close of late registration. Closes: 7 days prior to the first day of the conference. Submission Instructions Ensure all entries are uploaded before the submission window closes. Once the window is closed, no more submissions will be accepted. Video files must be uploaded by the advisor through myTPSA: Navigate to the specific Conference page in myTPSA. Select "Submissions" in the navigation bar. Review the specific upload requirements and exact deadlines listed within the portal.
Melissa Hollingsworth
Dec 22, 2025
TPSA is committed to creating and maintaining a healthy and respectful environment for all of our members. Our philosophy is to ensure all members, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status are treated equally and respectfully. Any behavior in the form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of all members to uphold and contribute to this climate.