Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a department of the State of Minnesota in the United States. DPS is an enforcement, licensing and services agency that develops and operates programs in the areas of law enforcement, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, fire safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration, emergency management and public safety information. The department coordinates the functions and services of the state relating to the safety and convenience of its citizens.[1]

Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Department overview
HeadquartersSaint Paul, Minnesota
Employees1,855
Annual budget$608.6m
Department executives
  • John Harrington, Commissioner
  • Cassandra O'Hern, Deputy Commissioner
  • Bob Hawkins, Assistant Commissioner
  • Bruce Gordon, Communications Director
Websitewww.dps.mn.gov

History

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety was established in 1969 per Minnesota Statute 299a.[2] The State Highway Patrol and Drivers License Bureau, both formerly a part of the Minnesota Highway Department, were transferred to DPS in 1970.

Commissioner of Public Safety

The department is led by the Commissioner of Public Safety, who is appointed by and reports directly to the Governor of Minnesota. Below is a list of the Public Safety Commissioners since it was formed:

  1. Jan 1970-Dec 1973: Wallace Hoaglund (1910-1995)
  2. June 1974-May 1979: Edward Novak (1917-2002)[3]
  3. May 1979-Sep 1982: John Sopsic (1940-2013)
  4. Sep 1982-Dec 1982: Kenneth Dirkzwager (1919-2014)[4]
  5. Jan 1983-Jan 1991: Paul Tschida
  6. Jan 1991-Oct 1991: Ralph Church
  7. Oct 1991-Dec 1992: Thomas Frost
  8. Dec 1992-Apr 1996: Michael Jordan
  9. Apr 1996-Dec 1998: Don Davis
  10. Jan 1999-Nov 2002: Charlie Weaver (1957-)
  11. Jan 2003-Apr 2004: Rich Stanek (1962-)
  12. Apr 2004-Feb 2011: Michael Campion
  13. Mar 2011–Jan 2019: Mona Dohman (1962-)
  14. Jan 2019–present: John Harrington (1956-) [5]

Divisions

Current Staff

Commissioners[6]
John Harrington, Commissioner
Cassandra O'Hern, Deputy Commissioner
Bob Hawkins, Assistant Commissioner

Division Directors
Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement: Carla Cincotta
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension: Drew Evans
Driver and Vehicle Services: Dawn Olson
Emergency Communication Networks: Jackie Mines
Fiscal and Administrative Services: Larry Freund
Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Joe Kelly
Human Resources: Lowell Thompson
MN.IT Services: Joan Redwing
Office of Communications: Bruce Gordon
Office of Justice Programs: Raeone Magnuson
Office of Pipeline Safety: Bruce West
Office of Traffic Safety: Donna Berger
State Fire Marshal: Bruce West
State Patrol: Col. Matthew Langer

References
  1. "Commissioner's Office - About".
  2. "About - History".
  3. "Novak, Edward G. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present".
  4. "Obituary for Dirkzwager, Kenneth A."
  5. "DPS Commissioner's Office=".
  6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2016-02-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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