Minnesota Agencies

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is a large and complex agency dedicated to prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, enforcement, and education. DPS' 15 divisions serve Minnesotans with programs in: law enforcement; fire code development, fire investigation and safety inspection; forensic science; crime and fraud prevention; crime victims’ services; homeland security and emergency management; emergency communications network management; traffic and motorcycle safety; driver licensing and vehicle registration; alcohol and gambling enforcement; pipeline safety and rule enforcement; and public safety education.

A major function of the old highway department, the Safety Division, had its functions transferred to the Department of Public Safety when it was created. The functions included the Minnesota State Patrol, drivers' license administration and safety promotion.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety currently 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.

In 2023 the Legislature created the Department of Children, Youth, and Families as a new cabinet-level agency. The Human Services, Education, Health and Public Safety departments will transfer responsibilities that would fall under the jurisdiction of the new department, along with relevant staff and unexpended appropriations, between July 2024 and July 2025.

Commissioners:

• Hoaglund, Wallace R., January 1, 1970 - December 31, 1973
• Novak, Edward G., June 10, 1974 - May 1979
• Sopsic, John, May 1979 - September 1, 1982
• Dirkzwager, Kenneth, September 1, 1982 - December 1982
• Tschida, Paul, January 3, 1983 - January 1991
• Church, Ralph, January 1991 - October 8, 1991
• Frost, Thomas H., October 8, 1991 - December 15, 1992
• Jordan, Michael, December 1992 - April 19, 1996
• Davis, Don, April 19, 1996 - December 31, 1998
• Weaver, Charles R. Jr., January 4, 1999 - November 2002
• Mitchell, Mancel T. Jr. (Acting) , November 2002 - January 2003
• Stanek, Rich, January 2003 - April 16, 2004
• Campion, Michael, April 16, 2004 - February 2011
• Dohman, Ramona, March 2011 - January 6, 2019
• Harrington, John, January 7, 2019 - January 2023
• Jacobson, Bob, January 2023 -