Albert Santa Cruz, Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner, is retiring from the position he held since his appointment by Governor. Haley Barbour in 2011. Cruz, now 76, has been with Highway Patrol and Department of Public Safety for 43 years. Santa Cruz was the commissioner and oversaw the completion of the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory. He also modernized the state drivers license process. And he implemented a merit-promotion system to Highway Patrol. Santa Cruz is a native of D’Iberville and began his career in Highway Patrol as a trooper in 1974.