Arizona Department of Public Safety


The Arizona Department of Public Safety is a state-level law enforcement agency with a primary function of patrolling and enforcing state laws on Arizona highways. Director Heston Silbert was promoted from Deputy Director to Director in April 2020 upon the retirement of former Director Frank Milstead. Its headquarters are in Phoenix.

History

Following legislation in 1968, the Arizona Department of Public Safety was established by the executive order of Arizona Governor Jack Williams on July 1, 1969. This order amalgamated the functions and responsibilities of the Arizona Highway Patrol, the Law Enforcement Division of the state Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, and the Narcotics Division of the state Department of Law.
In its 50-plus years of service, the department has become an organization dedicated to protecting and providing state-level law enforcement services to the public and developing partnerships with agencies sharing similar missions.
The department consists of five divisions - Office of the Director, Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Technical Services and Agency Support. Together these five divisions provide scientific, technical, operational, and regulatory services to Arizona residents and to the state's criminal justice community; one of the more famous subdivisions of the Criminal Investigations Division is the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission task force, which was formed to combat the growing gang infestation problems mainly in Maricopa County, even though their jurisdiction is statewide.
In 2011, the Arizona State Capitol Police department was merged with DPS, alongside the Highway Patrol Division. ASCP was responsible for the State Capitol Mall in Phoenix and the Tucson State Complex. Today the Capitol Police still exist and patrol the Capitol grounds, but they are now full DPS officers and use DPS cars, logos, and uniforms. Capitol police officers wear special Capitol Police patches on their uniforms.
The vehicles of choice for the Arizona DPS/HP are the Ford Crown Victoria with the Police Interceptor package, Ford Explorer, Ford Taurus, and the Chevy Tahoe police package SUV. The department issued weapons are, for handguns, FN Herstal FNS Long Slide chambered in.40 S&W or 9MM, or the Glock 17 Generation 5, chambered in 9MM carried with 3 or 4 17 round magazine's. For long guns, DPS uses the Patrol rifle 223 caliber Colt AR15A2 Colt M16A2 or Colt M4 supplied with 2, 30 round magazines. The 12 gauge Remington 870 shotguns are not authorized for carry and have been modified for less lethal munitions. SWAT Troopers are issued fully automatic LWRC short barreled rifles.

Rank structure

TitleInsignia
Director - Colonel
Deputy Director - Lieutenant Colonel
Assistant Director - Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Sergeant
Trooper

Old ranks

The ranks of lieutenant and commander were abolished and converted to captain and major respectively in 2010. On July 24, 2015, officers officially became known as State Troopers.

Organization

Currently, the Arizona Highway Patrol uses Ford Interceptor, Impala 9C1, Tahoe PPV, F-150s, and Expeditions. They do have one marked Dodge Ram Pickup. Unmarked vehicles are commonly Chargers, Challengers, Mustangs, F-150 and 250 pickups. Motorcycle units primarily consist of BMW RT-1200s.
In the past, automobile manufactures would donate cars to the department for testing. It would not be unusual to see luxury cars such as Lincoln Town Cars, Ford Thunderbirds, and others.

Highway Patrol Division

The Highway Patrol Division is divided into four bureaus, with 19 total districts and two Commercial Vehicle Enforcement areas:
The Special Enforcement Bureau enforces rules and regulations regarding the operation of commercial vehicles on the roads and highways of Arizona. The emphasis is on vehicle safety, driver safety, and proper authority and compliance for vehicles operating in commerce.

Criminal Investigations Division (CID)

There are five bureaus within the Criminal Investigations Division:
The Office of the Director provides assistance to the Arizona Department of Public Safety through administrative services such as crime victim services, management services promoting efficiency of government, public relations, research and planning, legal services, investigation of employee misconduct, internal and external management audits, and coordination of financial and human resource services. Additionally the Office of the Director provides support to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, and the Law Enforcement Merit System Council.

Technical Services (TSD)

The Technical Services Division develops and coordinates scientific, technical, regulatory, and support services by providing scientific analysis and criminal justice support to Arizona's criminal justice agencies. TSD also develops, operates, and maintains the data processing and data/voice communications systems statewide and operates facilities management and logistical support.
There are six bureaus within the Technical Services Division:
The Agency Support Division exists to support the mission critical units of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The Agency Support Division provides support and management services that promote government efficiency, contemporary research and planning, legal services, coordination of financial and human resource services, records and public records services, department training, cost effective facilities management, innovative logistical support, and provides statewide aviation support.
There are six main areas within the Agency Support Division:
As of July 2018 :
Sworn StaffProfessional StaffOverall
Male96%47%72%
Female4%53%27%
White78%77%78%
African American2%5%3%
Hispanic18%14%16%
Asian/Pacific Islander1%4%2%
Native American1%1%1%
Age 40+54%70%62%

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, 30 troopers and 4 K9s have died while on duty. The agency, along with the Arizona Highway Patrol Association, remembers each fallen officer at an annual memorial ceremony on the first Monday of May.