Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Benjamin Suver as the interim director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, effective immediately. Suver, who previously served as Assistant Director, steps into the role vacated by Andy Wilson, who is set to become Ohio Attorney General on June 7.
Governor DeWine expressed strong confidence in Suver's leadership. "Ben Suver has held a number of important law enforcement positions for the state of Ohio including Assistant Director of Public Safety and Special Agent in Charge at the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation," said Governor Mike DeWine. "I am confident that Ben will be a great leader of this important department. Ben has a passion for making sure our citizens are safe and that law enforcement has the tools and skills they need to serve and protect."
Since August 2024, Suver has overseen the daily operations of DPS and its ten divisions as Assistant Director. He joined DPS in January 2019, establishing the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center and the Ohio School Safety Center as Director of Law Enforcement Initiatives.
Suver brings over 30 years of criminal justice experience, including 14 years at the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) where he was Special Agent in Charge. His career also includes over nine years as a Detective with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Antioch University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Boston University.