Framed as the story of a forger who passes a fraudulent check to an unwitting grocery store cashier, the film's narrative unfolds to reveal the steps taken by Texas law enforcement to bring the criminal to justice. Produced by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the film gives watchers a tour of DPS departments and procedures, including the Bureau of Identification and Records, handwriting analysis, and preparation for courtroom trial.
Established by the Texas Legislature on August 10, 1935, the Texas Department of Public Safety was created by the consolidation of the Texas Highway Motor Patrol with the Texas Rangers. Since that time, its duties have grown to include such activities as the state licensing of drivers, vehicle inspection, narcotics enforcement, and the State Civil Defense Office, (now the Division of Emergency Management,) which aids local governments during times of natural disaster or social upheaval. While its duties have evolved over time, the mission of the DPS has remained constant - to provide public safety services to those people in the state of Texas by enforcing laws, administering regulatory programs, managing records, educating the public, and managing emergencies, both directly and through interaction with other agencies.