Agency Contact Information
Authority
The Department of Public Safety (Department) was established in 1968 to create and coordinate services for local law enforcement agencies, protect public safety, establish modern services to prevent crime and apprehend violators, and provide training for law enforcement personnel. The Department became operative on July 1, 1969, pursuant to Governor Williams’ Executive Order 69-3. Current statutory authority is found at A.R.S. §§ 41-1701 et seq. Administrative Rules are found at A.A.C. §§R13-1-101 et seq.
Function
The purpose of the Department is to prevent crime, apprehend violators, train law enforcement personnel and promote public safety. The Department is prohibited from preempting the authority and jurisdiction of political subdivisions of the state.
The Director, appointed by the Governor, administers the Department, and is authorized to participate in search and rescue operations, operate and maintain the statewide emergency medical services communication system, purchase and operate air ambulances, establish a special hazardous materials emergency response organizational unit to serve as the initial response element of the hazardous materials emergency management program, and receive grants from the federal victims of crime grant program. Additional powers and duties of the Director are outlined in statute. See A.R.S. §§41-1711 and 41-1713.
Statute organizes the Department into four divisions (Arizona Highway Patrol; Narcotics Enforcement and Criminal Investigation; Scientific Criminal Analysis; and Training and Education) and authorizes the Director to establish other divisions or reserves. On July 1, 2027, the statute adds a major incident division. See A.R.S. §41-1712.
History
Established in 1968, the Department assumed certain responsibilities from other agencies that had been in place for many years prior to its creation.
Laws 1929, Chapter 16 established the Bureau of Criminal Identification, directed by a Governor-appointed superintendent who was a recognized fingerprint expert.
The Bureau was required to provide assistance to county sheriffs, police, marshals, and constables to promote greater efficiency in detecting and apprehending criminals and to enforce the criminal laws of the state. The measure outlined a process for the Bureau and other law enforcement agencies to obtain, record and share information useful to identify criminals. The information, including finger and thumb prints, measurements, photographs, plates, outline pictures and descriptions of persons who were arrested or known to be habitual criminals, was to be indexed in a manner to allow ready reference and comparison.
Laws 1931, Chapter 104 created the Arizona Highway Patrol as a division of the Arizona Highway Department to patrol the state’s highways, enforce highway laws and investigate accidents.
Enforcement of state liquor laws was initially vested in the State Tax Commission by Laws 1933, Chapter 76. That responsibility was transferred to the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control when it was established by Laws 1939, Chapter 64.
Laws 1956, Chapter 102 authorized the Superintendent of the Arizona Highway Patrol to organize the Arizona Highway Patrol Reserve as an auxiliary volunteer organization to provide support, without compensation, to the Highway Patrol. Membership was limited to 250 male citizens over the age of 21, who were residents of the state. Members were entitled to receive workmen’s compensation benefits.
In his 1967 state of the state address to the Legislature, Governor Williams called for a restructuring of the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control and separating enforcement of liquor and narcotics laws. See Governor’s message, 1967 (page 63 of PDF).
Laws 1967, Chapter 133 established the Narcotics Enforcement Division within the Department of Law, consisting of agents who have experience in the field of narcotics enforcement, appointed by the Attorney General. The measure transferred property, files, records, equipment, motor vehicles, and communication devices which had been used for enforcement of narcotic laws by the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
Laws 1968, Chapter 209 established the Department of Public Safety to create and coordinate services for local law enforcement agencies, protect public safety, establish modern services to prevent crime and apprehend violators, and provide training for law enforcement personnel. The measure established five divisions within the new Department: the Arizona Highway Patrol: the narcotics enforcement and criminal investigation division; the scientific criminal analysis division; the training and education division; and the liquor control division. The measure outlined Department powers and duties, established a Law Enforcement Officer Advisory Council, and created the Peace Officers’ Training Fund. A director was appointed by the Governor to a term of five years and employees were included under the merit system of the Arizona Highway Patrol.
The measure transferred specific authority from other agencies to the new Department of Public Safety; the Highway Patrol and Highway Patrol Reserve from the State Highway Department; and the Bureau of Criminal Identification, which had been under the jurisdiction of the superintendent of the state prison. The measure also modified the duties of the Board and Superintendent of the Department of Liquor and established the Scientific Criminal Analysis Section within the Narcotics Enforcement Division and directed it to provide assistance to law enforcement. The measure transferred related records, equipment, funds and personnel and also appropriated $100,000 to carry out provisions of the act.
Laws 1972, Chapter 189 established the division of emergency medical services in the Department of Public Safety. The measure authorized the Director to operate air and ground ambulance services, establish an emergency medical services communication system, and outlined responsibilities and reporting requirements. The purpose statement explained the act was written to provide a means for the state to respond to emergencies related to traffic safety and traffic law enforcement programs.
Laws 1986, Chapter 340 authorized the Director to establish a special hazardous materials emergency management program to work in coordination with the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and several other specifically named state agencies.
Laws 1997, Chapter 136 established the sex offender community notification coordinator in the Department, outlined duties of the coordinator and required a report on compliance with community notification guidelines.
Laws 1998, Chapter 270 standardized fingerprinting procedures and created a system to issue fingerprint clearance cards. The measure established the division of fingerprinting within the Department, created a two-tiered system of clearance for employment and listed the criminal offenses that disqualify a person from obtaining a clearance card to work with certain client populations.
Laws 2010, Chapter 74 authorized the Department to seek grants to implement a pilot program to monitor rural airports and rural areas where illegal drug and human traffic are likely to occur. A report to the Governor and Legislature was due by July 1, 2012.
Laws 2010, Chapter 113 was enacted to “… discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.” (Section 1, Intent). The measure required state agencies and political subdivisions to fully comply with federal immigration laws and outlined numerous provisions regarding alien immigrant registration, employment, unlawful transporting or harboring aliens and investigation of employers. The measure also established the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund, administered by the Department. Monies are used for gang and immigration enforcement and for county jail reimbursement costs related to illegal immigration.
Laws 2011, Chapter 27 consolidated or transferred responsibilities for several state agencies. The measure included a provision that transferred the Capitol Police from the Arizona Department of Administration to the Department of Public Safety.
Laws 2014, Chapter 12 established the Concealed Weapons Permit Fund, administered by the Department. Monies in the fund are subject to legislative appropriation. The measure also modified use of monies in specified funds that are available to the Department.
Laws 2014, Chapter 232 required DPS to establish the Silver Alert Notification system as a quick response system designed to coordinate information regarding a report of a missing person who is 65 years of age or older. Laws 2016, Chapter 146 and Laws 2018, Chapter 39 subsequently modified the conditions to issue a Silver Alert to include missing persons who have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or a developmental disability.
Laws 2020, Chapter 13 authorized DPS to issue temporary security guard registration certificates to veterans based on specific criteria outlined in the measure. Certificates may be issued before the required background check is complete and are valid for 45 days.
Laws 2020, Chapter 86 was an omnibus measure that modified fingerprinting clearance card requirements for persons with access to vital records systems and those who work with children and vulnerable adults. The measure also expanded DPS authority to conduct periodic state and federal criminal history records checks and to submit fingerprints to the FBI to be retained for future searches.
Laws 2021, Chapter 117 authorizes the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads according to federal and state laws and outlines responsibilities of DPS and the Arizona Department of Transportation. Operating a fully autonomous vehicle (without a human driver) requires submission of a law enforcement interaction plan to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety.
Laws 2021, Chapter 403 establishes the School Safety Pilot Program to develop a communication system among public safety agencies and public schools for use during an incident. The measure also authorizes DPS to release body camera video recordings based on specified procedures and limitations. In addition, the measure requires the DPS Director to adopt rules that specify procedures for administering rapid DNA testing (within five calendar days) for crime scene samples.
Laws 2022, Chapter 290 renames the School Bus Advisory Council as the Student Transportation Advisory Council, increases its membership from 9 to 14, and expands the Council’s responsibilities to include consulting with: 1) DPS regarding matters related to modernizing and innovating K-12 student transportation; and 2) ADOA concerning purchasing strategies to maximize transportation resources and find efficiencies.
A second measure enacted in 2022 establishes the Major Incident Division within DPS to investigate critical force incidents, defined as discharge of a firearm by a peace officer or incidents involving use of deadly force. See Laws 2022, Chapter 311.
Laws 2024, Chapter 188 was an emergency measure that modified policies and procedures relating to processing applications for fingerprint clearance cards and good cause exception hearings conducted by the Board of Fingerprinting. The measure revised DPS authority to: operate the central state repository; exchange criminal justice information with federal, state and tribal entities; conduct criminal history records checks; and release criminal history records information to the Board of Fingerprinting. The measure also outlines a process in session law for an agency to issue a temporary work authorization while a person’s fingerprint clearance card application is being processed. The measure included a conditional repeal of the process to issue a temporary work authorization, which is triggered when the FBI approves DPS to conduct federal criminal records checks (see Section 6).
Note: Committee testimony indicated the changes in the measure are needed in order to: 1) comply with FBI and federal requirements; 2) retain state access to criminal record histories; 3) address security issues relating to confidentiality and exchange of info; and 4) update references to current criminal records procedures.
Laws 2025, Chapter 175 renames the silver alert notification system as the Seek and Find alert notification system. The system is a quick response system to coordinate alerts following the report of a missing person with a developmental disability, cognitive disability, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or who is 65 years of age or older. Requires immediate issuance of an alert for missing persons regardless of the missing person’s age when certain criteria are met and prohibits delaying the alert based on administrative processes, prior missing episodes, or discretionary assessments unrelated to the missing person’s safety. Requires regular comprehensive training for law enforcement agencies.
Laws 2025, Chapter 199 establishes the turquoise alert system as a quick response system to coordinate alerts following the report of a missing person who is a member of an Indian tribe. The measure lists specific circumstances for when the alert is activated. The system requires that the person has gone missing under unexplained circumstances and that law enforcement believes the person is in danger. The Department has been designated to use the federal-authorized emergency alert system and shall provide turquoise alert information to other entities that provide similar notifications in Arizona.
Laws 2025, Chapter 205 requires DPS to establish a sexual assault kit evidence tracking system to monitor the collection, storage, analysis, and destruction of sexual assault kits. Medical providers, law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, and other persons or entities that have custody of sexual assault evidence must submit the information to the tracking system. The entities that provide evidence shall have access to update and track the status and location of the kits. Victims may anonymously track and receive updates regarding the status of their kits and advance notification of destruction. The evidence records are confidential.
Sources
- Arizona Revised Statutes §§41-1701 et seq.
- Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) §§R13-1-101 et seq.
- Governor Williams Executive Order 69-3
- Session Laws
- Laws 1929, Chapter 16
- Laws 1931, Chapter 104
- Laws 1933, Chapter 76
- Laws 1939, Chapter 64
- Laws 1956, Chapter 102
- Laws 1967, Chapter 133
- Laws 1968, Chapter 209
- Laws 1972, Chapter 189
- Laws 1986, Chapter 340
- Laws 1997, Chapter 136
- Laws 1998, Chapter 270
- Laws 2010, Chapter 74 and Chapter 113
- Laws 2011, Chapter 27
- Laws 2014, Chapter 12 and Chapter 232
- Laws 2016, Chapter 146
- Laws 2018, Chapter 39
- Laws 2020, Chapter 13 and Chapter 86
- Laws 2021, Chapter 117 and Chapter 403
- Laws 2024, Chapter 188
- Laws 2025, Chapter 175, Chapter 199, and Chapter 205
Arizona Department of Public Safety website
Arizona Memory Project agency collection of Arizona Department of Public Safety
Arizona Auditor General, Performance Audit & Sunset Review, 2021, Report 21-120
Arizona Auditor General, Performance Audit & Sunset Factors, 2001, Report 01-29
Arizona Auditor General, Procedural Review, 2016, Report 17-301
Related Collections at Arizona State Archives
- Record Group 004 - Attorney General
- Record Group 031 – Department of Corrections, 1875 – 2008
- Record Group 051 – Highway Patrol, 1964
- Record Group 058 – Department of Liquor, 1933 – 1979
- Record Group 085 – Arizona State Prison, 1875-1945
- Record Group 152 – Department of Public Safety