​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What We Do

The Office of the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) oversees department staff, programming and initiatives. DPS is an enforcement, licensing and services agency that develops and operates programs in the areas of law enforcement, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, fire safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration, emergency management and public safety information. The department coordinates the functions and services of the state relating to the safety and convenience of its citizens (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 299A). 

The Office of Commissioner works in partnership with:

• Local, state and federal elected officials and legislators
• Local state and federal law enforcement and emergency response agencies
• Public, private and non-profit associations representing public safety, law enforcement, emergency response, crime victims, etc.

The commissioner serves as chair for the following: 

• Statewide Emergency Communications Board​
  
• Homeland Security Senior Advisory Committee
  

Deputy Commissioner

Cassandra O’Hern is deputy commissioner for the Department of Public Safety.

Prior to her appointment as deputy commissioner, O’Hern served as the department’s assistant commissioner since June of 2015 and the Director of Internal Affairs and Affirmative Action since 2005.  In that capacity she managed the department’s internal investigations and affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs.

Prior to joining the Department of Public Safety, O’Hern was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota. As an Assistant Attorney General she defended the various state agencies in civil litigation, including employment and labor law matters.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1993 and she also ho​lds a Masters of Planning degree from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the American University in Washington, D.C., double majoring in economics and international relations.

Assistant Commissioner — Emergency Services

T. John Cunningham is an assistant commissioner for the Department of Public Safety.​

Cunningham has more than 25 years of public safety experience and most recently served as the fire chief and emergency management director for the city of Brooklyn Park. Under his leadership, the department has more than doubled its full-time firefighting force, replaced an aging fleet, created a full-time firefighter cadet academy, expanded its arson investigation capabilities and developed a plan to modernize the city's fire stations. He was also the president of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association for three terms.

Prior to moving to Minnesota in 2009 to serve as the Elk River fire chief, Cunningham was a volunteer firefighter in Greenwich, Conn., and held the rank of district chief. He was also a member of the town's technical rescue and dive team, and a specialist with the state's urban search and rescue team.

Cunningham earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from Fairfield University and a Master of Science in homeland security leadership from the University of Connecticut. He also holds a certificate in collaborative​ leadership in homeland security from the University of Connecticut.

Assistant Commissioner Cunningham oversees:​

• State Fire Marshal
  
• Office of Pipeline Safety
• Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Emergency Communication Networks​
• Office of State Safety Oversight​​​​
  
  

Assistant Commissioner — ​Programs

Tim Lynaugh is an assistant commissioner for the Department of Public Safety.

Before joining DPS, Lynaugh worked in the Minnesota Department of Corrections for eight years. He then went on to serve the St. Paul Police Department for 23 years and the MetroTransit Police Department for six.

Lynaugh earned his associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Inver Hills Community College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from St. Mary’s University and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Concordia University.

Assistant Commissioner Lynaugh oversees:

• Office of Justice Programs
• Office of Traffic Safety
• Driver and Vehicle Services
  
  
  

Chief of Staff

Jordan Haltaufderheid is the chief of staff for the Department of Public Safety.​

Haltaufderheid​ has been with the department since 2018, previously serving as the legislative affairs director, legislative coordinator and agency grants coordinator. Before joining DPS he worked for the Minnesota Attorney General's Office as a regulatory and financial analyst.

Haltaufderheid​ earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management double majoring in Public and Nonprofit Management and Entrepreneurial Management. He also​ graduated from the State of Minnesota's Emerging Leaders Institute.

​​Community Affairs Director

Nicole Archbold is the community affairs director for the Department of Public Safety.

Archbold’s background covers more than two decades of local government experience, including 15 years at the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). During her time at MPD, she held roles assigned to the Property and Evidence Unit, Research and Policy Development Unit, and Police Administration.

Archbold also served in the Minneapolis mayor’s office as the city’s public safety policy advisor, where she led community-centered public safety initiatives and supported efforts to increase transparency and data analysis in policing.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement from Metropolitan State University and a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Saint Mary’s University.

History

DPS was created in 1969, per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 299A.  The first commissioner was Wallace Hoglund in 1970.  For more information on the history of DPS, see the Commissioner's Office History Page. You will also find a chronological list of all present and past DPS commissioners on the History Page.