GOVERNOR
NAMES JERRY HAFEN AS DIRECTOR OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Carson City— Governor Jim Gibbons
today announced that Jerry Hafen has
been appointed to serve as the
Director of the Department of Public
Safety. Hafen, a life-long resident
of Clark County, was previously
Deputy Chief of the Investigation
Division.
“Jerry Hafen brings 32 years of
law enforcement experience to the
job and will be able to immediately
take on the challenges of leading
this diverse and essential
Department,” stated Governor
Gibbons. “I am sure that he will
serve our citizens well in this
role.”
The Department of Public Safety is
comprised of several divisions,
including the Nevada Highway Patrol,
Investigation Division, Division of
Parole and Probation, Capital
Police, Office of Emergency
Management, State Fire Marshals
Office, Office of Criminal Justice
Assistance and Parole Board.
“I am enthusiastic about the
opportunity to serve as Director of
this Department, and I am ready to
face the many challenges that await
me,” Hafen stated. “The
Governor and I share a vision about
how to make this Department operate
more effectively to meet the safety
needs of Nevadans, and I am looking
forward to working with him.”
Hafen began his diverse law
enforcement career as a patrol
officer in 1975 and has served
as an Investigator for the State
Taxicab Authority, a State Gaming
Enforcement Agent and a Senior
Investigator for the Department of
Motor Vehicles and Public Safety
Bureau of Enforcement.
In 1995, Hafen moved to the
Department of Public Safety’s
Investigation Division as a criminal
investigator. During Hafen’s tenure
with the Department, he has worked
on investigations of criminal
related activity pertaining to
homicide, auto theft, narcotics
enforcement, theft and fraud, sexual
assault, organized crime, political
corruption and internal affairs.
Since 2003, Hafen has supervised and
administered operations for the
Division’s statewide Narcotics and
Major Crimes Units.
“I value the relationships I have
developed with the sheriffs and
chiefs throughout the state, as well
as with the heads of federal law
enforcement agencies, and I will
continue to nurture those
relationships as Director,”
Hafen stated.
Hafen indicated that top priorities
of his administration will be
disrupting the flow of illegal drugs
into our communities and preparing
to respond appropriately to homeland
security and emergency management
issues. |