The department was created in 1931 to serve as a rural patrol and to assist local city police and sheriffs’ departments. Some of the agency’s specialized programs and services include transportation safety; major crime investigations; forensic services, including DNA identification, automated fingerprint identification and computerized criminal history files; drug investigation; fish and wildlife enforcement; gambling enforcement and regulation; state emergency response coordination; state Fire Marshal Service and Conflagration Act coordination; coordination of federal grants for public safety issues; coordination of Criminal Justice Information Standards; medical examiner services; Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT); and serving as the point of contact to the National Office of Homeland Security.

The department employs more than 1,300 sworn and professional staff.