PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey announced on Monday that Col. Frank Milstead, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety is resigning his position. Milstead, who is set to leave the post in April, was appointed by Ducey in 2015.
Controversial DPS Deputy Director Lt. Col. Heston Silbert has been named his replacement.
Gov. @dougducey today announced that @Arizona_DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead will retire in April after 35 years of distinguished law enforcement service to #Arizona. Heston Silbert, who has served in Arizona law enforcement for over 31 years, will succeed him as DPS Director.
— The 9th Floor (@9thFloorAZ) March 9, 2020
Silbert was appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Public Safety in 2015. Silbert, like Milstead retired from the Phoenix Police Department and was hired by Milstead when he was named Chief of the Mesa Police Department.
Related article: DPS Finds Officers Actions “Reasonable” In Deadly High Speed Chase
In 2017, Silbert was the subject of an investigation after a high-speed chase he began ended with the death of a suspect on I-17 in Camp Verde.