(a) A department of the government of this state to be known as the "Department of Public Safety" is hereby created, and offices for the Department shall be furnished by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The Department of Public Safety shall be under the control and supervision of the Commissioner of Public Safety, which office and position is hereby created.

The Commissioner shall have such powers and authority as may be granted by the provisions of the Uniform Vehicle Code or as may otherwise be provided by law.

(b) The Governor shall be the chief officer of the Department of Public Safety and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall execute the lawful orders of the Governor and shall be responsible to him for the operation and administration of said Department. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall provide personal security and protection, transportation, and communications capabilities for the Governor, the Governor's immediate family, and the Lieutenant Governor. The Commissioner is authorized to provide necessary communications equipment to said persons even if said persons are not on state property or in state vehicles. The Commissioner of Public Safety is hereby authorized to purchase or lease and equip motor vehicles for the use of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The purchase or lease price of any such motor vehicles and equipment shall be paid from any appropriation for motor vehicles made to the Department of Public Safety.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 322, § 2-101, eff. Sept. 1, 1961. Amended by Laws 1967, c. 35, § 1, emerge. eff. March 23, 1967; Laws 1983, c. 302, § 1, emerg. eff. June 23, 1983; Laws 1983, c. 304, § 20, eff. July 1, 1983; Laws 1986, c. 19, § 1, emerg. eff. March 17, 1986; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 159.