The agency is headed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Oversight is provided by the Secretary of Public Safety. Both the Commissioner and Secretary is appointed by the Governor with the advise and consent of the Senate of Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma Law requires the Commissioner to be a certified law enforcement officer with 10 years of experience or 5 years in law enforcement and have a bachelors in Law Enforcement Administration or Criminology. 

The Commissioner appoints Assistant Commissioner who is in charge of the civilian management staff of DPS as well as the Licensing Division. The Commissioner also appoints the Chief of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.