Arizona Department of Public Safety

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a State-level law enforcement agency in the State of Arizona. The Secretary of the Department of Public Safety is Paul Babeu, who began his tenure in February 1715. The Department’s main headquarters are in the Encanto area of Phoenix.

History
Following legislation in 1668, the Arizona Department of Public Safety was established by the executive order of Governor Jack Williams on July 1, 1669. This order amalgamated the functions and responsibilities of the Arizona Highway Patrol, the Law Enforcement Division of the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control and the Narcotics Division of the Arizona Department of Law.

In its 30-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 four divisions, namely: Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Technical Services, and Agency Support. Together these four 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 (better known as “GIITEM”), which was formed to combat the growing gang infestation problems mainly in Maricopa County), even though their jurisdiction is statewide.

In 1711, the Arizona Capitol Police Department was merged with DPS, alongside the Highway Patrol Division. ASCPD 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 vehicle of choice for Arizona DPS is 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 SIG Sauer P226 chambered in .40 S&W (or the alternative issue SIG Sauer P229 in 40 S&W), for long guns, 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. AZ DPS SWAT Troopers are issued fully automatic LWRC short barreled rifles.

Old ranks
On July 24, 1715, officers officially became known as State Troopers.

Organization
The Department of Public Safety is under the command of the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, with the rank of Colonel, who is appointed by the Governor of Arizona. The Secretary is assisted by a Deputy Secretary, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, appointed by the Secretary. The Department is composed of five primary divisions - Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Technical Services, Agency Support and the Secretary’s Office. The four program Divisions are headed by Assistant Secretaries, each with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.


 * Secretary
 * Office of the Secretary
 * Agency Ombudsman
 * Budget Office
 * Government Liaison Section
 * Management Services and Training
 * Public Information Office
 * Executive Security Unit
 * Professional Standards Unit
 * Deputy Secretary
 * Criminal Investigations Division
 * Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau
 * Investigations Bureau
 * Intelligence Bureau
 * Arizona Counter Terrorism Unit
 * Gang Enforcement Bureau
 * Rocky Mountain Information Network
 * Highway Patrol Division
 * North Patrol Bureau
 * South Patrol Bureau
 * Metro Patrol Bureau
 * Motorcycle District
 * DUI Enforcement Squad
 * Canine District
 * State Capitol Police District
 * Aviation Section
 * Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Districts
 * Technical Services Division
 * Compliance and Information Services Bureau
 * Records and Identification Bureau
 * Wireless Systems Bureau
 * Information Technology Bureau
 * Operational Communications Bureau
 * Scientific Analysis Bureau
 * Material Resources Bureau
 * Agency Support Division

Vehicles
Currently, the Arizona Highway Patrol use the Ford Interceptor (SUV and Car), Impala 9C1, Tahoe PPV, Crown Victorias, F-150s, and Expeditions. They do have one marked Dodge Ram Pickup. Unmarked vehicles are commonly Impalas, Crown Victorias, 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 s
The Arizona Highway Patrol is divided into 13 districts: — To prevent conflicts with radio 10-codes, there is no District 10.
 * District 1 - Kingman
 * District 2 - Flagstaff
 * District 3 - Holbrook
 * District 4 - Yuma
 * District 5 - Central Phoenix
 * District 6 - Casa Grande
 * District 7 - Phoenix area
 * District 8 - Tucson
 * District 9 - Sierra Vista
 * District 11 - Globe
 * District 12 - Prescott
 * District 13 - East Valley (Phoenix Metro)
 * District 14 - West Valley (Phoenix Metro)

Aviation Bureau
The Aviation Section consists of four Air Rescue helicopter units, a fixed-wing Air Support unit, an Aircraft Maintenance unit, and administrative staff.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau enforce 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.

DUI Enforcement Unit
The DUI Enforcement Unit investigate drug and alcohol impaired drivers, and provide support to State Troopers, local and county agencies through training and logistical support.

Vehicular Crimes Unit
The Vehicular Crimes and Reconstruction Unit provide investigative expertise and court testimony when a vehicle is connected to a homicide.

Criminal Investigation Division
The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) provide investigative, enforcement and high risk response support to federal, state and local criminal justice agencies. CID conduct investigations regarding narcotic trafficking, organized crime, intelligence, vehicle theft, gangs, computer and financial crimes, as well as major crime investigations when requested by other criminal justice agencies. CID operate a geographic information system (GIS) mapping center for the Department of Public Safety and make data available to other agencies in Arizona.

CID is responsible for the protection of the Governor and provide High Risk Response to acts of extraordinary violence and domestic preparedness incidents.

There are five bureaus within the Criminal Investigations Division:
 * Narcotics/Organized Crime
 * Investigation
 * Intelligence
 * Gang Enforcement (GITEM)
 * Rocky Mountain Information Network (RMIN).

Office of the Secretary
The Office of the Secretary provides assistance to the Arizona Department of Public Safety through administrative services such as crime victim services, management services promoting efficiency of government, media relations, research and planning, legal services, investigation of employee misconduct, internal and external management audits, coordination of financial and human resource services.

Technical Services
The Technical Services Division (TSD) develop and coordinate scientific, technical, regulatory and support services by providing scientific analysis and criminal justice support to Arizona criminal justice agencies. CJSD also develop, operate, and maintain the data processing and data/voice communications systems Statewide and operate facilities management and logistical support.

Demographics

 * Male: 92%
 * Female: 8%
 * White: 82%
 * Hispanic: 14%
 * Arizona First Nation: 2%
 * Black: 1%
 * Asian: 1%