SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Public Safety Commissioner Keith Squires has resigned to take a private sector job.
Squires is retiring from the Utah Dept. of Public Safety effective Aug. 31. Governor Gary Herbert nominated Maj. Jess Anderson to replace him.
“I am grateful to both of these men for their dedication to our state, and to the safety of its people,” Gov. Herbert said. “Commissioner Squires has not only been a trusted and well-respected member of our cabinet and leader in our law enforcement community, but he is also viewed as a national expert in public safety and is often called on for his expertise. We will miss his contributions in state government.”
Some within the agency found out about Squires’ retirement in a hastily called event at the Gold Room of the Utah State Capitol. Anderson’s confirmation is subject to Senate approval.
“This is a great honor, and I look forward to working alongside the men and women of our Department of Public Safety to protect the residents of our state,” Anderson said in a statement released through the governor’s office.
Squires will be leaving to accept a position in the private sector after serving as commissioner since his appointment in June of 2013. He was reappointed in 2017. Squires has been a law enforcement officer in the state of Utah for more than three decades.
The Department of Public Safety consists of the Utah Highway Patrol, the State Bureau of Investigations, the State Crime Lab and various other entities.
