Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security explained

Agencyname:Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Commonname:Tennessee Department of Safety
Abbreviation:TDOS
Formedyear:1939
Country:United States
Countryabbr:USA
Divtype:State
Divname:Tennessee
Map:Map of USA TN.svg
Sizearea:42,143 sq. miles
Sizepopulation:7,051,105 (2022 estimate)
Police:Yes
Headquarters:1150 Foster Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee
Chief1name:Jeff Long
Chief1position:Commissioner
Chief2name:Les Dolente
Chief2position:Deputy Commissioner
Child1agency:Tennessee Highway Patrol
Child2agency:Tennessee Driver License Services
Child3agency:Tennessee Office of Homeland Security
Aircraft1type:Helicopter
Aircraft1:5 Bell 206B Jet Rangers and 1 Huey UH-1H
Website:http://www.tn.gov/safety/

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOS), also known as the Tennessee Department of Safety or DOS, is a law enforcement agency serving the U.S. state of Tennessee. The TDOS is made up of three main divisions: the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the Tennessee Driver License Services division, and the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security.[1]

History

The TDOS was established in 1939 by the Tennessee General Assembly to exercise authority over the THP.[2] Over the decades, the agency has evolved to meet new challenges, such as drug trafficking, the issuance of drivers' licenses, and terrorism. Therefore, the TDOS currently comprises three divisions: the THP, the Driver License Services division, and the state Office of Homeland Security (OHS).

The current commissioner of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security is Jeff Long, who has been serving since January 2019 after being appointed by Governor Bill Lee. He is assisted by deputy and assistant commissioners, including the director of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Col. Matt Perry.[3]

Functions

See also: Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The TDOS manages the THP, OHS, and the Driver License Services division. The THP is the highway patrol agency for Tennessee, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state. The Office of Homeland Security was created in April 2003 by an executive order by then-Governor Phil Bredesen in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.[4] The Driver License Services division issues various kinds of identification cards, including hardship licenses for minors, graduated drivers licenses, regular driver licenses, commercial driver licenses, and state identification cards.[5] In addition to the above functions, the TDOS has issued handgun permits through the THP since October 1996, assuming the role previously taken by local sheriffs' offices.[6]

Commissioners

ImageNameTook officeLeft officeGovernor
Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
1David Mitchell[7] January 2007[8] January 2010Phil Bredesen
2Bill Gibbons[9] January 2010September 2016[10]
Bill Haslam
3David PurkeySeptember 2016 [11] January 19, 2019 [12]
4Jeff Long[13] January 20, 2019IncumbentBill Lee

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Us. Tennessee Department of Safety. 1. 5 June 2012.
  2. Web site: Tennessee Department of Safety Strategic Plan 2010. November 2010. Tennessee Department of Safety. 1 of 91. 5 June 2012.
  3. Web site: Administration: Tennessee Department of Safety. Tennessee Department of Safety. 31 October 2019.
  4. Web site: Executive Order #8: An Order Constituting the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Council and the Tennessee Governor's Citizen Corps Advisory Committee. Breseden. Gov. Phil. April 3, 2003. Tennessee Secretary of State. 4. 5 June 2012.
  5. Web site: Tennessee Driver License Services Division Main Page. Tennessee Driver License Services Division. 5 June 2012.
  6. Web site: Tennessee Department of Safety Handgun Permits. Tennessee Department of Safety. 5 June 2012.
  7. Web site: Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008. 2024-02-12. www.tn.gov. en-US.
  8. Web site: Department of Safety Mission 2009. 2024-02-12. www.tn.gov. en-US.
  9. Web site: Haslam Names David Purkey Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security. 2024-02-12. www.tn.gov. en-US.
  10. Web site: Bill Gibbons leaving Tennessee Safety and Homeland Security job. 2024-02-12. www.tennessean.com. en-US.
  11. Web site: Annual Report 2010-2011, Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security. 2024-02-13. www.tn.gov. en-US.
  12. Web site: Purkey retires from public service after tenure as Commissioner of the Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security. 2024-02-12. www.citizentribune.com. en-US.
  13. Web site: Department of Safety and Homeland Security Announces Jeff Long as Commissioner. 2024-02-12. www.tn.gov. en-US.

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