Department of Public Safety

Record Group

Identifier: US-MeSA-16

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Maine State Archives (MSA) collects and holds the permanent historical records of the Maine State Government. MSA was created in 1965. By 1971, MSA housed the historical records that had been held by the Secretary of State, Legislature, Courts and Executive Departments. This included records from defunct agencies.

With the implementation of a records management system, groups of records were identified as having permanent historical value and were sent to the Archives after a designated period of time. These included Commissioner/Executive correspondence, meeting minutes from Boards and Commissions, as well as department-specific records.

Dates

1958 -

Biographical / Historical

The Department of Public Safety was created in 1971, consolidating the former Department of State Police, the Enforcement Division of the State Liquor Commission, the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission, the Division of State Fire Prevention of the Department of Insurance, and the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Academy, under the Commissioner of Public Safety.

In 1978, the Bureau of Capitol Police was added to the organization of the Department. Administration of the Highway Safety Program transferred from the Department of Transportation and in 1990 became the Bureau of Highway Safety. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Advisory Board were created by the 113th Legislature.

Public Law 1991, Chapter 588, transferred the responsibility for Emergency Medical Services from Department of Human Services to Public Safety. In 1993, the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse was created.

An Act Relating to the Establishment of a Maine Communications System Policy Board, passed as Public Law 2003, Chapter 678. A civilian director for the Bureau of Consolidated Emergency Communications was created in 2006. The 121st Legislature passed as Public Law Chapter 687, An Act to Establish the Gambling Control Board. The Bureau of Building Codes and Standards was established within the Department of Public Safety. This Bureau has been consolidated under the Fire Marshal's Office.