The Director of Public Safety is appointed by the Mayor and is responsible for overseeing all matters relating to public safety, including, but not limited to, oversight of city departments that provide police, fire, and emergency medical services, as well as other related duties as assigned by the Mayor. The primary goal of public safety in general is to prevent danger, preserve the peace, and to protect the wellbeing of the city's residents, businesses, visitors, and property.

The Director of Public Safety is charged with developing public safety policy and practices across the City that (a) prevent harm to people, property, and the environment and (b) safeguard people from crimes, disaster, and other potential dangers and threats

In this professional safety role, the Director of Public Safety also works with the Department of Administration to develop and maintain the Employee Handbook, the Drug-Free Workplace Policy, and Alcohol/Drug Testing Programs through the Human Resource Administrator. 

Emergency Management
Emergency Management is the management function charged with creating and maintaining the framework within which the city reduces vulnerability to hazards and copes with disasters. In performing this function, the Director of Public Safety coordinates the development and maintenance of the City's Emergency Operations Plan and oversees exercises that keep city employees familiar with the plan.

Project Management
Managing public safety requires the oversight and coordination of many diverse projects--some big and some small. The Director of Public Safety often takes the lead on coordinating large projects, as assigned by the Mayor, especially those that involve outside public safety entities or multiple departments within the City. 

Strategic Planning
The Director of Public Safety is deeply involved in strategic planning for the City. In this capacity the he advises the Mayor and department heads concerning policies and programs that impact the short term as well as the long term operation of the City, especially as it relates to public safety.