Mission Statement of the Department of Public Safety
The Connecticut Department of Public Safety is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing enforcement, regulatory and scientific services through prevention, education and innovative use of technology.
In striving to accomplish our mission, we embody our core values with great PRIDE:
Professionalism through an elite and diverse team of trained men and women.
Respect for ourselves and others through our words and actions.
Integrity through adherence to standards and values that foster public trust.
Dedication to service.
Equality through fair and unprejudiced application of the law.
The Connecticut Department of Public Safety
The Connecticut Department of Public Safety (DPS) is composed of three divisions: the Division of State Police, the Division of Fire, Emergency and Building Services and the Division of Scientific Services.
More than a century ago, the very beginnings of DPS were founded when, in 1901, legislators authorized the governor to name a state Fire Marshal to investigate fires of suspicious origin.
Two years later, in 1903, lawmakers created the first state police department in the country, consisting of five men who drew a salary of $3 a day to enforce state liquor and vice laws. As the number of highways and vehicles grew, State Police Troopers were charged with making them safe for travel.
In 1939, shortly after his appointment, Commissioner Edward J. Hickey revolutionized the agency. He established a three-way mobile communications network and increased the strength of the department. Hickey divided state areas into divisions which encompassed 11 stations, and established six advanced and specialized units. He had the uniform redesigned and updated the Bureau of Identification, the forerunner of the present-day, state-of-the-art Forensics Lab.
A training academy, gun-owner registrations, resident State Troopers, state policewomen and the nation's first motor vehicle radar detection system (1946) were other State Police innovations during Hickey’s 14-year tenure.
Today, more than 1,200 men and women make up the sworn State Troopers of the State Police. There are 12 barracks scattered across the state and dozens of specialized units. The State Police are the primary law enforcement provider in 82 of the 169 Connecticut towns. The Connecticut State Police is the third largest police force in New England.
In 1992, DPS had grown to the two full divisions of State Police and Division of Fire, Emergency and Building Services (DFEBS). In 1999, a third division, the Division of Scientific Services was added.
DFEBS is made up of four divisions: the Offices of the State Fire Marshal, State Building Inspector, Education & Data Management and Statewide Emergency Telecommunications. Division employees include both civilians and sworn Troopers. Many of the employees are technical specialists in their area of expertise, including fire and arson investigation, hazardous materials, explosives, amusement rides, elevator and boiler safety and inspection, demolition, crane operation and telecommunication experts.
The scientific aspect of Connecticut law enforcement had its beginnings in 1935 when the Bureau of Identification was founded to maintain fingerprint and mug shot files. More than 60 years later, in 1999, the Division of Scientific Services was created. The division is made up of three laboratories: the Computer Crime and Electronic Evidence Laboratory, the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Toxicology/Controlled Substances Laboratory. The combination of these laboratories, each unique in its service offerings, is responsible for all evidence examinations for the entire State of Connecticut. Under special circumstances, the division also will examine evidence for agencies outside our state borders.
