About DPS

DPS Prevent * Protect * Prepare

Mission

Safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through prevention, protection, and preparation with integrity and honor

Vision

To provide premier public safety services for all North Carolinians

Goals

  1. Strengthen the department’s unity of effort as a consolidated and allied entity.
  2. Create a true culture of prevention, protection and preparedness.
  3. Create and maintain an environment where employees are engaged, accountable, and recognized for the contributions they make to enhance public safety in North Carolina.

Values

Safety

Integrity

Customer Service

Professionalism

Diversity

Quality

Office of the Secretary

Erik A. Hooks, the secretary of the Department of Public Safety, serves as the sole representative on the governor's cabinet for the state's law enforcement, corrections and emergency management responsibilities. The DPS secretary oversees the state's homeland security coordination.

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Boards & Commissions

About the Department

2020Accomplishments Highlights of DPS's role in COVID-19 response, election security, public protection, disaster response and more.

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#2Largest Patrolled State Highway System State Troopers patrol 78,000 miles of state-maintained roads (the second largest system in the country) to keep roadways safe.

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16%Reduction in Juvenile Complaints North Carolina decreased juvenile complaints 16 percent between 2010 and 2014.
7%Decrease in Overall Crime North Carolina’s overall crime rate decreased by 7 percent in 2013 from the previous year, continuing a six-year downward trend.
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