MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor on Thursday announced the appointment of Colonel Jonathan Archer as director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), effective March 1.
The appointment follows the retirement announcement of former DPS Director Colonel Jimmy Helms earlier this year.
A native of Mobile, Archer graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration. He is also a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy. His career in law enforcement began in 2005, when he joined the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Police Division and was assigned to the Baldwin County/Orange Beach Search and Rescue Unit.
Archer has been a valued member of ALEA since consolidation in 2015 and previously served as chief of the agency’s Driver License Division. Prior to his role as chief of driver license, he served in a variety of capacities throughout the agency including Marine Patrol training coordinator, Law Enforcement Special Response Unit commander and commander of both Central and Southern Districts of the Marine Patrol Division.
During his time in the Driver License Division, he led his staff through the demanding challenges of COVID-19 to continuously provide public services and safely serve a record number of residents via email, telephone and online. In 2022, ALEA’s Driver License Division worked diligently at the direction of Archer to improve technology and driver license processes, ultimately unveiling the new Law
Enforcement Agency’s Driver License System (LEADS). LEADS was a monumental accomplishment that replaced the previous system, which had been in place for nearly two decades.
Said Taylor, “Throughout his years with ALEA, Colonel Archer has proven his unwavering commitment and dedication to public service, not only for this agency, but for all Alabamians. Time after time, he has taken on monumental tasks and difficult challenges, while providing safe and effective solutions and raising the agency’s Driver License Division to a new level of excellence. Based upon his proven work ethic and successful track record, I am extremely confident in Colonel Archer’s leadership abilities and his vision for the department. I look forward to working with him in this new capacity.”
Archer said, “I am honored that Governor Kay Ivey and Secretary Taylor have entrusted me to lead ALEA’s Department of Public Safety. I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside employees within the agency’s Marine Patrol and Driver License Divisions, and I look forward to continuing the agency’s mission of providing the highest level of quality service and protection for all in this new position.”
