Ohio Department of Public Safety Director's Office

Thomas P. Charles

Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety

Thomas P. Charles is originally from Hubbard, Ohio. He began his career as a cadet dispatcher at the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 1963. He graduated from the Patrol Academy and became a Trooper on January 10, 1964, as a member of the 63rd Academy Class. Director Charles was promoted to his first command position in 1978, when he became the post commander of the Granville Patrol Post. In November 1984, Director Charles was reassigned to the Columbus district as an assistant commander. He was promoted to captain in 1988 and named commander of the Jackson district. Transferred to general headquarters in Columbus in 1989, he commanded Driver and Vehicle Services, and later Staff Services. Promoted to major in 1992, he was in charge of Field Operations until being named assistant superintendent in March 1994. He retired from the Highway Patrol in September 1994, after 31 years of service.

In 1994, Director Charles became the Executive Director of the Office of Legislative Inspector General. He was appointed as Ohio Inspector General by Governor George Voinovich in 1998. He was twice reappointed to that position by both Governor Bob Taft and Governor Ted Strickland. In January 2011, Governor John Kasich appointed him to his current position as Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Director Charles and his wife, Brigette, a Highway Patrol captain assigned to the Academy, live in Pickerington. He has three grown children: a son, Brian, a Highway Patrol lieutenant assigned to the Special Operations Unit; two daughters, Brenda and Bethany; two step-children, and six grandchildren.