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]
| Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common name | Tennessee Department of Safety |
| Abbreviation | TDOS |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1939 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Tennessee, USA |
 | |
| Map of Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's jurisdiction | |
| Size | 42,143 sq. miles |
| Population | 7,051,105 (2022 estimate) |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 1150 Foster Avenue Nashville, Tennessee |
| Agency executives |
|
| Child agencies | |
| Facilities | |
| Helicopters | 5 Bell 206B Jet Rangers and 1 Huey UH-1H |
| Website | |
| http://www.tn.gov/safety/ | |
History
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit| # | Image | Name | Took office | Left office | Governor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security | |||||
| 1 | 
|
David Mitchell[7] | January 2007[8] | January 2010 | Phil Bredesen |
| 2 |
|
Bill Gibbons[9] | January 2010 | September 2016[10] | |
| Bill Haslam | |||||
| 3 |
|
David Purkey | September 2016 [11] | January 19, 2019 [12] | |
| 4 | 
|
Jeff Long[13] | January 20, 2019 | Incumbent | Bill Lee |
References
edit- ^ "About Us". Tennessee Department of Safety. p. 1. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ "Tennessee Department of Safety Strategic Plan 2010" (PDF). Tennessee Department of Safety. November 2010. pp. 1 of 91. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ "Administration: Tennessee Department of Safety". Tennessee Department of Safety. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ Breseden, Gov. Phil (April 3, 2003). "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" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. p. 4. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ "Tennessee Driver License Services Division Main Page". Tennessee Driver License Services Division. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ "Tennessee Department of Safety Handgun Permits". Tennessee Department of Safety. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ "Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008" (PDF). www.tn.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "Department of Safety Mission 2009" (PDF). www.tn.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "Haslam Names David Purkey Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security". www.tn.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "Bill Gibbons leaving Tennessee Safety and Homeland Security job". www.tennessean.com. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "Annual Report 2010-2011, Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security". www.tn.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ "Purkey retires from public service after tenure as Commissioner of the Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security". www.citizentribune.com. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "Department of Safety and Homeland Security Announces Jeff Long as Commissioner". www.tn.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
