About DPS

Goals

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

Office of the Secretary

Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr. is the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and 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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About the Department

2020

Accomplishments

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

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#2

Largest 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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19%

Reduction in Juvenile Complaints

North Carolina decreased juvenile complaints 19 percent between 2010 and 2020.

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.