Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) Logo
The Georgia Department of Public Safety logo symbolizes the work of units that ensure safety on the roads, in public places, and at key facilities every day, combining patrolling, control, and prevention to protect the state’s residents.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety was created on March 19, 1937, when Governor Eurith D. Rivers signed Act 220 after rising traffic deaths and crime. Philip H. Brewster Sr. became the first permanent commissioner. The department included the Georgia State Patrol, a criminal investigation division, and driver licensing. Its first trooper school opened at Georgia Tech and graduated 80 officers in August 1937. Patrol posts appeared in 10 cities, while the first fleet used 33 gray Ford cars.
During the 1950s, the agency expanded communications and investigative work. Governor Jimmy Carter’s 1972 reorganization later reshaped it. On February 28, 1974, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation became independent. That year, the State Patrol created an aviation unit for searches, pursuits, surveillance, and medical transport. The Georgia Crime Information Center became a statewide computerized records system.
The department then focused on highway patrol, Capitol security, and commercial vehicle enforcement. Georgia became the first state patrol agency to equip its entire fleet with dashboard video cameras. At the same time, troopers received PIT maneuver training to end dangerous pursuits.
The Capitol Police protects government buildings, courts, and officials in Atlanta. The department has worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement through joint task forces. Meanwhile, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation remained its main statewide partner.
Meaning and History
What is Georgia Department of Public Safety?
It is a law enforcement organization responsible for road safety and public places within the state. Its structure includes units that protect state buildings, control commercial vehicles, and ensure order on highways. In addition to their day-to-day work, employees are involved in emergency operations, coordinate the actions of various services in crises, and provide training for law enforcement agencies.
1937 – today
The emblem of the Georgia Department of Public Safety resembles the seal of an old official document and is designed in striking orange and black colors. There are no ornate or modern decorative elements; everything is strict and serious.
At the logo’s center are three white classical-style columns connected by arches. Red ribbons with white lettering are attached to the columns, displaying the words WISDOM, JUSTICE, and MODERATION. Above the columns is the word “CONSTITUTION,” a reference to the origins of legislation and law enforcement in the United States.
Below the arches stands a black figure, a historical silhouette of a man with a sword, a colonial soldier reminiscent of the founding era of the American state. Beneath the figure is the date “1776”, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.
The design is enclosed within a black ring with an orange braided pattern along the edge. The inscription surrounding the central part is simple and official: “STATE OF GEORGIA” at the top and “DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY” at the bottom, written in white lettering on a black background.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety is responsible for maintaining law and order in the state, ensuring compliance with laws, and protecting public safety. Therefore, the emblem’s strict and serious appearance reflects the organization’s duties and responsibilities. The historical symbolism serves as a reminder of the origins of laws and regulations.
