Arkansas Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety is a department of the government of the State of Arkansas. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for state law enforcement, emergency management, crime information, crime support, and fire safety.

Arkansas Department of Public Safety
Arkansas Department of Public Safety Logo
Great Seal of Arkansas
Flag of Arkansas
Common nameArkansas Department of Public Safety
AbbreviationADPS
MottoProtecting Arkansas Citizens
Agency overview
FormedApril 11, 2019
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionArkansas, USA
Size53,179 square miles
Population3,017,804 (2019)
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersOne State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas
Agency executives
  • Jami Cook, Cabinet Secretary
  • Lester Hankins, Chief of Staff
  • John Smith, Chief Financial Officer
  • Allen Fitzgerald, Chief Information Officer
Website
https://www.dps.arkansas.gov [1]

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety was created on 11 April 2019 through the Arkansas Transformation and Efficiencies Act of 2019 [2] . The Arkansas Department of Public Safety is an executive agency that reports directly to the Governor of Arkansas.

Arkansas Code Title 25, Chapter 43 added an additional Subchapter 14 that specifies the creation of the Department of Public Safety. Approximately 17 state entities were transferred to the Department of Public Safety.

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for state law enforcement, emergency management, crime information, crime support, and fire safety.

The mission of the Department of Public Safety is to enhance the safety and security of all Arkansans through ethical, character-driven behavior that promotes professionalism, clear communication, and accountability while serving as the state’s premier public safety agency.

— Arkansas Department of Public Safety Website[3]

The Department of Public Safety is headquartered at One State Police Plaza Drive in Little Rock, Arkansas.

History

The Arkansas Transformation and Efficiencies Act of 2019 is considered a signature piece of legislation under Governor Asa Hutchinson [4] . Prior to the Act 910 of 2019, the State of Arkansas had 42 cabinet-level agencies reporting directly to the Governor of Arkansas. Act 910 of 2019 reduced the number or cabinet-level agencies to 15, including the Department of Public Safety. This change is considered the largest reorganization in Arkansas State Government in the past 50 years.

The Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety is the executive head of the department, appointed by the Governor, is subject to confirmation by the Arkansas Senate, and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

Each board and division of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety is under the direction, control, and supervision of the Secretary of the Department. Though, the Secretary of the Department can delegate functions, powers, and duties to the boards and divisions under the Arkansas Department of Public Safety.

Boards and Divisions

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety is divided into boards and divisions:

Law Enforcement

Emergency Management

  • Arkansas Division of Emergency Management [7]

Crime Information and Support

  • Arkansas Crime Information Center [8]
  • Arkansas State Crime Laboratory [9]
  • Crime Victims Reparations Board [10]

Fire Safety

  • Fire Safety [11]
  • Fire Prevention Commission [12]

References
  1. Arkansas Department of Public Safety Website
  2. Act 910 of 2019
  3. Arkansas Department of Public Safety Motto
  4. Act 910 of 2019
  5. Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Website
  6. Arkansas State Police Website
  7. Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Website
  8. Arkansas Crime Information Center Website
  9. Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Website
  10. Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board
  11. Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Website
  12. Arkansas Fire Prevention Commission Website
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