Alabama. Dept. of Public Safety.

Authorities:

Alabama. Dept. of Public Safety. Annual Report, 1983-1984.

Alabama. Department of Public Safety. Our Fortieth Year. Montgomery: The Department, 1975.

Alabama Government Manual, 1982.

Code 1975, 32:2:1-44.

Markley, Anne Ethelyn. Author Headings for the Official Publications of the State of Alabama. Chicago: American Library Association, 1948.

The Department of Public Safety was created for the purpose of enforcing laws relating to the use of state highways, and for certain of its employees to act as peace officers and perform various law enforcement duties. The Director is appointed by the Governor and has the rank of Colonel. The Assistant Director is ranked as a Lieutenant Colonel. Each division is headed by a Major.

State police law enforcement began in 1919 with the creation of the State Law Enforcement Officers, also referred to as the State Law Enforcement Dept. In 1931, because of the growing number of unregistered trucks using the highways, Governor Benjamin M. Miller appointed two "Alabama Highway Officers." Serving under the Highway Department, they enforced all highway and carrier laws. The State Law Enforcement Officers agency was abolished by ommission from the 1940 Code. (Markley, p. 94).

In 1935 legislation authorized the Governor to establish a State Highway Patrol, consisting of a Chief and other officers (Acts 1935, No. 331, pp. 760-761). In 1939 the Governor was authorized to establish a State Highway Patrol and to appoint a Director of Public Safety. The 1935 act was repealed. (Acts 1939-1940, No. 181, pp. 307-309)

By Executive Order of Governor Chauncey Sparks in 1945, the Enforcement Division of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board came under the supervision of the Department. In March of 1948 by Executive Proclamation Governor James Folsom moved the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Division back to the ABC Board. According to the Government Manual, before 1953 the Department existed under statutes and various executive orders. Between 1939 and the official creation of the dept. in 1953 the duties of the dept. were under the supervision of the Director of Public Safety.

The Department of Public Safety was created in 1953. The Director administers, controls, and coordinates the activities of the Department. He may prescribe reasonable rules and regulations for the operation of motor vehicles, and he enforces laws relating to public highway rules of the road, including the impounding of stray animals. He issues and revokes driver's licenses, keeps a record of licenses and accidents, and provides a central fingerprint file service. He also adopts standards for equipment and safety devices. The Director serves as a member of the State Safety Coordinating Committee, the Aviation Commission, and the Alabama Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board. (Acts 1953, No. 585, p. 828)

Alabama. Department of Public Safety. Administrative Division.

Authority: Acts 1953, No. 585, p. 828.

The Administrative Division serves the other divisions. The Training Unit, which is responsible for the Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center and Library, develops, implements, and evaluates educational and training services. The Library provides audiovisual and reference services. Planning, Research, Inspection, and Development has duties relating to federal funds, legislation, research, archives, radar and other equipment, and benefits for families of deceased members. The Legal Unit represents the Department in litigation affecting it. Public Information handles public relations, supplying information to the news media, the public, and other agencies, and instruction at the Training Center. Ongoing projects include the Help Eliminate Lawbreaking Pushers program and the museum. Purchasing procures supplies and equipment. The Intelligence Unit investigates organized crime, government corruption, threats against public officials, individuals or groups who disrupt orderly government, and internal security interests, and it provides assistance to other law enforcement agencies. It collects, collates, analyzes, and disseminates data, including that from case reports of the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. Personnel and Payroll relate to personnel, and the Financial Services Unit is responsible for budget preparation, fiscal reporting, expenditure controls, and general accounting.

Alabama. Department of Public Safety. Bureau of Investigation.

Authority: Alabama Government Manual, 1982.

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Alabama Bureau of Investigation initiates investigations into suspected criminal activities and assists other law enforcement agencies. The Identification Unit maintains fingerprint records for all law enforcement agencies in the state, and its Latent Prints Section examines crime scenes and processes evidence. The Auto Theft Unit concentrates on professional theft activity and assists in the identification and investigation of vehicle theft and recovery. The Narcotics Unit is responsible for drug enforcement. The Division also conducts polygraph examinations, maintains records of pistol sales and permits, and investigates internal matters concerning the operation of the Department and organized crime..

Alabama. Department of Public Safety. Driver's License Division.

The Driver's License Division issues licenses and enforces license laws. The Examining Unit administers tests for applicants and conducts hearings and investigations at the request of other units. Safety Responsibility enforces the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act. It processes accident reports, receives funds as security from uninsured drivers, issues certificates of self-insurance to uninsured persons, answers appeals from persons on suspensions, and issues certificates requested by insurance companies about suspensions. The Driver Improvement Unit reviews driver records in relation to the point system. It determines eligibility for licensing, receives reinstatement fees, insurance fees, and suspended or revoked tags, and cites persons for reexamination. Maintaining records of active and inactive persons licensed to drive, the Driver Record Unit processes applications, changes of name, reported accidents, traffic convictions, and requests for information, provides information from the Alabama Criminal Justice Information System, and keeps files on Circuit Court appeals.

The Administrative Unit initiates and implements policies and procedures for the Division's operations in addition to auditing applications and receiving fees. The Data Processing Unit is responsible for the computerized data storage, retrieval, and information system, which includes driver records and auto theft information as well as administrative records, i.e., payroll, property inventory, accounting, et cetera. Statistical reports about accidents may be compiled, and information may be checked with other data files to determine automobile theft.

Alabama. Department fo Public Safety. Highway Patrol Division.

The Highway Patrol Division enforces laws relating to the use of motor vehicles on state and county roads. It monitors motor vehicle and truck weights, investigates rural traffic accidents, assists motorists, ensures the orderly flow of traffic, provides security for state officials, furnishes traffic and crowd control during special events, supervises a statewide law enforcement and emergency communications system, and supplies law enforcement assistance in natural disasters. It may also recommend signs or other warning devices to the Highway Department. The Division uses visible patrol techniques and may catch suspects during the commission of a crime or during their immediate flight from the scene. They have the authority of peace officers. The nine troops are commanded by a Captain, who is assisted by a Lieutenant. Each of the subordinate posts are headed by Sergeants. The Traffic Homicide Unit aids in the prosecution of drivers who cause fatalities and serious injury through gross negligence. The Honor Guard participates in state ceremonies and state funerals for dignitaries and law enforcement officers.

The Alabama State Trooper Reserves, a voluntary, trained force, accompany troopers in routine patrol, direct traffic and assist in crowd control at significant special events, participate in manhunts, and assist troopers during natural disasters. Other units include the Headquarters Communication Section, the Executive Security Unit, the Technical Services Unit, and the Records and Reports Section.

Alabama. Department of Public Safety. Service Division.

The Service Division provides supplies, training, and special services for the Department. The Safety Education Unit distributes safety literature and educates the public about traffic safety, department operations, crime prevention, and drug eradiction through the mass media, appearances, and personal contact. The Implied Consent Unit has responsibilities relating to instruments used in testing for alcohol use. The Supply Unit distributes equipment and supplies, unless otherwise provided, and furnishes printed material used in department operations, i.e., the new driver's manual. The Communication Engineering Unit prcures and maintains VHF and UHF base stations and the control center. The Automotive Unit repairs and maintains vehicles operated by the Department. The Aviation Unit provides aerial support to law enforcement agencies in crime control and in rescue and emergency operations. The Photographic Services Unit processes and prints photographs relating to crime and accident scenes and criminal suspects for the Department and other state criminal justice agencies, and it instructs personnel in the use of cameras.

Some units in the divisions have been transferred from one division to another.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145407610