The Department of Public Safety is a multi-faceted organization. It remains a state-level law enforcement agency working in close partnership with other agencies to protect the public. At the same time, DPS is a service organization providing a broad range of vital scientific, technical, operational and regulatory services to Arizona’s citizens and the criminal justice community.

The Department's primary responsibilities, however, rest in the areas of traffic, narcotics, organized crime/racketeering, liquor and specific regulatory functions. Additionally, the DPS provides operational and technical assistance to local and state governmental agencies and other components of the criminal justice community. These services include scientific analysis, aircraft support, emergency first care, criminal information systems and statewide communications.

The Department also promotes and enhances the quality of public safety through cooperative enforcement, intelligence gathering, training employees for other law enforcement agencies and increasing public awareness of criminal activities. With its main headquarters in Phoenix, the Department employs more than 1,500 employees working together to serve and support the interests of public safety throughout Arizona.