Michael Hanson | Director
Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Office of Traffic Safety

I currently serve as the Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety-Office of Traffic Safety and I also serve as the designated Governor's Highway Safety Representative for Traffic Safety. I was appointed to my current position in October of 2017. Prior to being appointed as the Director of the Office of Traffic Safety I was employed with the Minnesota State Patrol. I retired in 2017 with nearly 35 years of law enforcement experience. During my tenure with the State Patrol I worked in several areas of the State both in the Minneapolis metro area and in greater Minnesota assignments. I retired as the District Commander for the West Metropolitan District. I have specialized in a several areas of service including as a crash reconstruction specialist, DWI and SFST trainer/instructor, Mobile Field Force Co-commander and as an IACP Leadership training facilitator. In addition to my duties at the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, I also serve as the Vice Chair for the Governor's Highway Safety Association, as a co-chair for the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program, and as Chair of the Minnesota Advisory Council on Traffic Safety. I am passionate about traffic safety issues and public safety services.