Lt. Col. Deston Coleman

Deputy Director

Lt. Col. Deston Coleman Jr. was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety on January 4, 2025, where he currently serves. His distinguished career spans over three decades, marked by leadership roles in both the Highway Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions.

Lt. Col. Coleman began his career with the Arizona Department of Public Safety in 1991 as a cadet officer. After graduating from the academy, he was assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, serving as a state trooper in Bullhead City. Over the years, he completed assignments in Gila Bend and Metro Phoenix Patrol, the Vehicular Crimes Unit, and the State Gang Task Force.

As he advanced through the ranks, Lt. Col. Coleman was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, where he supervised the Vehicular Crimes Unit, overseeing the investigation and prosecution of vehicular homicides across Arizona. His leadership extended to supervisory roles in the Special Investigations Unit and Internal Affairs.

Upon his promotion to captain, Lt. Col. Coleman led Metro Phoenix Patrol, Shift Three, and later took on command assignments in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau and Internal Affairs. As a major, he commanded the Gang Enforcement Bureau before serving as the Metro Phoenix Patrol Bureau Commander. His leadership trajectory continued with his appointment as Chief of Staff for the Highway Patrol Division.

On March 21, 2020, Lt. Col. Coleman was promoted and appointed Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Division. He later transitioned to the Highway Patrol Division as Assistant Director on July 2, 2022, before assuming his current role as Deputy Director.

Lt. Col. Coleman holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 269), the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations, and the Arizona State University Certified Public Manager Program.

Outside his professional achievements, he enjoys playing a round of golf and cherishes time with his wife of 32 years, Tracy, and their two children, Ashton and Deston III.