Arizona DPS making changes: Officers become troopers, new vehicle colors

PHOENIX — A bit of a makeover is in the works for the state’s highway patrol.

Officers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Highway
Patrol are now called “troopers” and the agency is picking new colors for patrol vehicles.

The Arizona Capitol Times reported a prototype of 90 new
vehicles coming to the department was painted dark blue with copper lettering and
accents.

DPS Director Frank Milstead said he heard from employees shortly after he was
appointed to the job and decided it was time for updates.

The department website and social media accounts have reflected the title change.

News releases on the site refer to officers as troopers and the Twitter account is “Ariz. State Troopers” @Arizona_DPS.

Department spokesman Bart Graves says the highway patrol is the most visible
way to change the agency’s public image.

Arizona Highway Patrol Association president Jimmy Chavez says the new look
will help boost morale.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.