It is one of the largest public safety departments in the nation, with over 2,269 sworn officers.

[1] The current Director of Public Safety is Charles Coyle.

The Public Safety Committee considers all matters pertaining to the Department of Public Safety, the Police Department, The Corrections Division, Excise and Liquor Control Division, Neighborhood Stabilization Team, the Fire Department, the Division of Building and Inspections and the City Emergency Management Agency.

The published mission statement of the Department of Public Safety is: The mission of the St. Louis Department of Public Safety is to use its resources to safeguard the people who live, work, do business and visit the city.

The staff of the various divisions are hardworking and committed to improving their level of performance as well as developing policy and procedures that are transparent, understandable and streamlined.