DPS NEWS

Today, the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the appointment of Edward “Ted” Black as State Fire Marshal. Ted replaces recently retired Fire Marshal Coy Porter.  Ted has been working as a chief deputy in the Fire Marshal’s Office since May 2013. Ted’s vast experience in various aspects of the fire service qualifies him […]

2020’s data follows a nationwide trend and includes increases in numbers of homicides, robberies, aggravated assaults and thefts, but with a decrease in the number of rapes. Tuesday, October 5, 2021 The 2020 Crime in Utah Report, as well as reports going back to 1997, can be downloaded at bci.utah.gov. You can compare Utah data […]

Commissioner Anderson joins Governor Cox, local legislators and law enforcement representatives to celebrate the opening of the new state crime lab in Cedar City. At a media event on Monday, April 26th, representatives from Utah state government, the Department of Public Safety, Iron County law enforcement agencies and Cedar City government gathered to commemorate the […]

POLICE REFORM: A Report to the Governor STATE OF UTAH – DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OVERVIEW On June 11, 2020, following the untimely death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that sparked much civil unrest and precipitated the discussion on police reform in the United States, including the State of Utah, Governor Herbert directed Utah […]

On Thursday, September 9th, Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Jess Anderson, members of the Utah Legislature and administration and staff from the State Crime Lab gathered to announce the completion of a milestone in the DNA testing of sexual assault kits. Utah is the 8th state to eliminate its backlog of sexual assault […]

On September 1, 2020, the Salt Lake Tribune published an editorial cartoon depicting columnist Pat Bagley’s interpretation of “The Deep Hate.” It is a representation of a law enforcement officer staring at the X-ray image of himself with the doctor pointing to an internal image of a hooded figure and stating, “Well, there’s your problem.” […]

Utah has established a unified command at the State Emergency Operations Center at the State Capitol. This is where the state gathers the most critical players in the same room to make sure the government is working as efficiently as possible. Right now, those critical players are the Utah Department of Health, supported by DPS’s […]

2019 was another remarkable year for DPS. Read about the many activities of our 11 divisions in our annual report.  Below is the message from Commissioner Anderson that appears at the beginning of the report. As we end one decade and enter a new one, the future of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is […]

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jess L. Anderson released the following statement on the passing of Chief William “Bill” O’Neal: “I was saddened to hear of Chief William “Bill” O’Neal’s passing. Chief O’Neal was a tremendous example of a leader in law enforcement and our partner in public safety. He was an example and friend […]

We’ve got the second edition of SBI’s Quarterly Highlights – we’ve got details about what agents have been doing to keep Utah safe. SBI Quarterly Highlights August 2019 We’re proud to share the first edition of a new publication – the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Quarterly Highlights. This edition includes information about recent activities […]

12th annual conference had a special focus on cold cases and school safety. DPS hosted the 12th annual Governor’s Public Safety Summit on July 30th and 31st at the Davis Convention Center in Layton. It was a record-breaking year for the summit, as it saw over 570 attendees for the first time. Commissioner Anderson delivered […]

On June 26th, the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office partnered with the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and over 60 volunteer attorneys from the Utah State Bar to host a second Expungement Day event. This event was the first in a two-step process to help qualifying individuals legally clear their criminal […]

On Tuesday, several law enforcement agencies in the Salt Lake Valley participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. DPS and UHP joined Unified Police Department, West Jordan Police Department and South Jordan Police Department in the run. Commissioner Anderson, Deputy Commissioners Higgs and Rigby, members of the Utah Highway Patrol administration, members […]

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jess L. Anderson has successfully completed the 276th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.  The ten-week National Academy consists of top law enforcement executives from around the world who have the opportunity to discuss the latest trends, policies, professionalism and leadership tactics that are affecting today’s […]

The Problem: Road Debris is All Too Common June 6th is Secure Your Load Day. Utah Highway Patrol Troopers know the dangers presented by unsecured loads because they see the consequences of road debris every day. Calls for road debris are one of the most frequent calls to which they respond. In fact, over the […]

As you might or might not be aware of, Utah has a new law that will affect all motorists. Utah’s new motorcycle lane filtering law goes into effect on May 14, 2019. What Is Lane Filtering? Definition: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and passing another […]

A message from Commissioner Jess L. Anderson DPS family,Today, on National Employee Appreciation Day, I want to thank each of you for the many different ways you serve our great state. One of the best parts of my job as Commissioner is getting to meet more of you as I work with each of our […]

The 2017 Utah Legislature passed HB155 “Driving Under the Influence and Public Safety Revisions.” The bill takes effect on December 30, 2018. The following information may be utilized to address inquiries about the new, lower BAC limit. Here are some frequently asked questions presented to our Department.  Below you can download a PDF of the […]

Governor Gary Herbert and Lt. Governor Spencer Cox joined Department of Public Safety (DPS) employees as they officially welcomed their new leadership. This week new administration, including newly appointed Commissioner Jess L. Anderson and two new Deputy Commissioners, took the oath of office at the Utah Capitol. More than a dozen DPS employees representing several areas […]

This investigative review by the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) was conducted upon request by the Utah Governor’s Office to examine the interactions and handling of an administrative case involving Melvin Shawn Rowland within the criminal justice system. This independent investigation involved a comprehensive review of multiple agencies, policies, systems and procedures.  Below is […]

The Utah Department of Public Safety’s crime laboratory was established in the 1970s to provide criminalistic laboratory service to federal, state, and local law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys and public defenders. The lab is the only full-service forensic lab in the State of Utah, serving over 175 agencies representing Utah’s population. The lab is a physical evident […]

New Commissioner for the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), Jess L. Anderson, has made new appointments within the Department. Among the new appointments made by Commissioner Anderson are two new Deputy Commissioners, a Lieutenant Colonel and Chief Special Agent. Kristy Rigby – Deputy Commissioner: Prior to her appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Kristy has served […]

SALT LAKE CITY — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Utah Department of Public Safety (UDPS), and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah, announced the formation of the Utah Crime Gun Intelligence Center at a meeting today. The formation of the center will bring together cutting-edge technologies and the resources […]

The 2018 DPS Public Safety Fair hosted its largest crowd ever. This year’s event welcomed 95 booths with over 1,600 community members attending from around the Salt Lake Valley. DPS would like to thank its sponsors for their involvement and support. They helped us make an impact on safety in our community. DPS Commissioner Keith […]

The eleventh annual Public Safety Summit was hosted by Governor Gary Herbert Wednesday. Bringing hundreds of members of law enforcement, EMS, fire, health care and administrators from all over Utah. The summit discusses ideas and ways to improve public safety by bringing professionals from multiple disciplines of public safety together for two days. This summit […]

Commissioner Keith D. Squires, Colonel Brian Redd and Major Tyler Kotter recently attended the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA) conference in Phoenix, Arizona on May 7-9, 2018. The majority of states sent leaders who oversee state-level criminal investigative agencies to Phoenix for three days of training on cutting edge topics in law enforcement […]

This week Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Squires will be in San Francisco, California for the 2018 RSA Conference. RSA brings the world’s top experts in cybersecurity together. There, Commissioner Squries will participate in a panel discussion on ‘Emerging Strategic and Structural Trends in State Cybersecurity’. Other panelist include Timothy Blute with the […]

With the recent school shootings in Florida, safety and what can be done is being talked about across the country. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Squires sat down with KSL Radio’s Amanda Dickson and Director of Child and Adolescent Therapy at Wasatch Family Therapy Clair Mellenthin and Former Chief of Staff to Senator Mike Lee/Current […]

SALT LAKE CITY – A four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City charges James Musa Gama, age 39, of Salt Lake City, with two counts of possession of the synthetic cannabinoid commonly known as “spice” and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. […]

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Squires has joined the Utah School Safety Commission along with multiple non-partisan volunteers, who bring years of expertise in a wide range of disciplines. The Utah School Safety Commission is dedicated to finding policies to work on one of the most pressing issues the nation is facing: gun violence […]

Our Department’s Aero Bureau is a crucial component to law enforcement and search & rescue operations across Utah. From Logan to remote parts of Garfield county, the team of tactical flight officers and pilots are courageously assisting in search and rescue operations and law enforcement activities.  As the only law enforcement helicopter in the state […]

The Department of Public Safety and Commissioner Keith Squires were highlighted by the New York Times for their efforts in cyber crime. Read more about why it is critical for businesses and the public to report cyber offenses. “Utah’s chief law enforcement officer was deep in the fight against opioids when he realized that a […]

Family, friends and peers joined Commissioner Keith Squires and Colonel Michael Rapich as they promoted five fine men to the ranks of Colonel, Major, Captain and Sergeant during the first promotional ceremony of 2018. Commissioner Squires appointed Major Brian Redd to the rank of Colonel to serve as the third Deputy Commissioner at the Department […]

The Department of Public Safety’s Cyber Crime Unit is made up of agents from two of its divisions: State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Statewide Information and Analysis Center (SIAC). In partnership with the FBI, DPS agents work together as one to combat cyber crimes that affect businesses, state entities and members of our […]

In November 2015, in response to heightened security concerns surrounding terrorism worldwide, Governor Herbert directed the Utah Department of Public Safety to conduct a review of the federal screening process for refugees and security procedures related to refugee resettlement in Utah. This process led to a partnership between Refugee Services Office (RSO) and Public Safety, […]

SALT LAKE CITY – The Department of Public Safety (DPS)  along with the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) are issuing a warning regarding a product labeled as “CBD” oil that is being sold at area smoke shops.  Since early November, the UPCC has received numerous calls about people becoming ill after using the oil. Adverse […]

What would you do if you heard gunshots? Do you know? What would you do if you saw someone acting suspiciously?  Watch this video for tips that could save your life. We hear about it on the news all the time. Whether it is a terrorist or a disgruntled, troubled soul, shootings happen.   Chances […]

The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) honored three local employees for their dedication to public safety at a ceremony in Richfield. The three women Kathy Quarnberg, Alicia Gleave, and Amie MacArt were promoted by Commissioner Keith Squires. A swearing in ceremony was held at the Sevier County Search and Rescue building where Utah Highway […]

Commissioner Keith Squires has appointed Major Brian Redd to the rank of Colonel to serve as the third Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Public Safety. Historically there have been three Deputy Commissioners, but due to budget cuts in 2009 and 2010, the decision was made to suspend one of these positions. With the continued […]

The before and after changes brought about by Operation Rio Grande are positive and dramatic. While some in the area don’t want treatment or help, many do. Some of those who are the most appreciative of the law enforcement efforts, are the people who call the Rio Grande area home, and who access the services […]

Nominated by Commissioner Keith Squires, DPS’ State Bureau of Investigation’s Agent Crystal Wallis has truly gone above and beyond her call of duty. Agent Wallis has been assigned to work Operation Rio Grande. Recently Agent Wallis made a connection with a man who was in obvious need of professional mental health. She introduced herself and […]

Good evening, everyone.  It’s exciting to look around and see this banquet hall at its full capacity- I can’t thank you enough for being here this evening. On behalf of Deputy Commissioner Nannette Rolfe, Colonel Michael Rapich and our senior administration- welcome to the 2017 DPS Awards Banquet. I look forward to this event each […]

As part of our ongoing commitment to public safety and the citizens of Utah, DPS partnered with the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, local law enforcement agencies and many others, to create a video and the Community Awareness Program (CAP) designed to educate citizens on how to properly recognize and report […]

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) held a meeting with members of the community at The Road Home shelter in Salt Lake City.  This meeting was the second of a series of meetings scheduled at The Road Home. The goal of each community gathering is to answer questions and discuss any concerns regarding Operation Rio […]

The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance understands that many states and communities need support in helping ensure information systems are designed to identify, prepare for, prevent and respond to cyber threats and incidents. Utah is a leader across the nation in building cyber resilience and the Police Executive Research Forum published an […]

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner, and Homeland Security Advisor Keith D. Squires, discusses the growing threat of cyber intrusion to public agencies. Commissioner Squires discusses what Utah is doing to develop what FBI Director James Comey calls “a national model for investigating cyber crime”.

The Utah State Senate confirmed the reappointment of Commissioner Keith Squires to another four-year term as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (DPS).  Commissioner Squires was first appointed as DPS Commissioner in June of 2013 by Governor Gary R. Herbert and was nominated recently for reappointment to the position. “Keith has been dedicated […]

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith D. Squires and Governor Gary Herbert toured Davis County neighborhoods damaged in the recent wind event that hit areas of of Davis County and the Wasatch Front. Squires and Herbert toured the areas damaged by wind in Northern Utah on Sunday including parks, homes and debris collection sites in Kaysville, […]

The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) has passed along the following information to Utah Chiefs and Sheriffs in regards to the impending change of the blood alcohol content (BAC) from .08 to .05. Along with a letter from Commissioner Squires, the DPS’ Utah Highway Patrol produced a .05 BAC Fact Sheet. Its purpose is […]

At the Department of Public Safety, we are deeply committed to maximizing your investment in us. In 2013 Governor Gary Herbert challenged all state agencies to become more efficient; the target set was a 25% improvement. A persistent dedication to this goal over the last three years has helped us achieve a 41% improvement in […]

The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy leadership program recently hosted a meeting with the Department of Public Safety’s State Bureau of Investigation division, the FBI, and their international counterparts from Algeria, Mali, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan where ideas on how to promote community resilience related to terrorism were discussed.