Arizona DPS expects large volume of travelers this holiday weekend

Highway Patrol officers will focus their efforts on preventing collisions

Throughout this long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which will be one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be focusing their efforts on driving behaviors that can lead to crashes.

In 2011, 10 people were killed in 9 separate crashes during the Thanksgiving weekend on state and federal highways in Arizona. Two of those crashes involved impaired drivers.

The Highway Patrol will be vigilant in trying to prevent these types of crashes from happening but ask the public for help. Taking steps to ensure you and your family are safe while driving starts before you hit the road.

· Do not consume alcohol or other drugs that can cause impairment
· Get plenty of rest
· Check your tires for proper inflation and sufficient tread
· Avoid distracted driving; texting, checking emails, etc.
· Always wear your seatbelt
· Do not drive aggressively or become impatient with other motorists

Should you suspect that someone is impaired while driving, please call 911.

Helping ensure that your family makes it to their destination safely is the main goal of the Highway Patrol and we will take that responsibility seriously.

AG declines prosecution of Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert based upon DPS investigation

For Immediate Release: Statement from Quartzsite 

Chief of Police Jeff Gilbert on DPS Report #2011-027462

Quartzsite, Arizona - On August 13, 2012, I received a completed copy of the criminal investigation conducted by the AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS) against myself and Sgt. Xavier Frausto. This report included the "Turndown" notice declining the case by the AZ Attorney General's Office, dated July 12/13, 2012. The allegations and complaint was initiated by then Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster.

The case was declined for the following reasons stated by the turndown report as: "Victim/Witness Credibility Problems"; "Inadequate Evidence of Intent"; "Inadequate Evidence of Corroboration"; and "No Reasonable Likelihood of Conviction".

This is the third criminal investigation I have been subjected to along with members of my department from false allegations and complaints made by then Mayor Ed Foster. I have been exonerated, along with the other members of the department each time. Sergeant Xavier Frausto has served this community for nearly twenty years with his complete dedication to the community.

I have documented evidence that Ed Foster participated with another party and submitted a fabricated and forged letter to DPS in 2010 in an attempt to lend credibility to the first of his false allegations and complaints. While I brought this matter to the attention of DPS, to my knowledge they declined any further investigation of the incident.

Ed Foster, along with others, continues to this day in his attempt to discredit, and have me criminally charged, as the Chief of Police for the Quartzsite Police Department. His latest false allegations and complaints created an investigation and finding period that lasted nearly fourteen months resulting in an unknown loss and waste of the tax payer's dollar, not to mention the undue hardship that was created to the community, the Town, the Department, Sgt. Frausto, myself and our families. 

On behalf of the Quartzsite Police Department, myself and all those affected, I wish to thank the Town and community members of Quartzsite that have provided their continued support and stood behind us over the course of these false allegations and complaints.

I will continue with my dedication to the Town of Quartzsite as Chief of Police, to serve and protect and to provide the best possible police services to the community. Again, I wish to thank everyone for their support.

Jeff Gilbert

Chief of Police

Quartzsite Police Department

DPS completes Quartzsite Police Dept. audit

Quartzsite, Arizona- In a press release issued by Police Chief Jeff Gilbert January 31st, 2012 DPS audit report is completed. According to Gilbert,


"The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently completed an extensive three year audit of the Quartzsite Police Department. DPS’s Access Integrity Unit examined several areas, including inspection of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) system security, general administration, criminal history record inquiries, dissemination of information, as well as a review and challenge process. Examples of questions asked in the review and challenge portion of the audit included the validation of missing persons, stolen vehicles, warrant entries, and agency policies surrounding arrest and disposition submission.

"The DPS’s Access Integrity Unit commended the Quartzsite Police Department for its continuing efforts to comply with federal and state requirements. The only recommendation the Access Integrity Unit made was that our new System Security Officer be provided with training at the DPS compound in Phoenix. This training has been scheduled.

"I am proud of our staff’s efforts to comply with DPS and to maintain our agency’s high standards. We strive to not only meet but to exceed the standards required of law enforcement by state and national agencies."

Chief Jeff Gilbert