The primary functions of the police department are to protect life, liberty, and property; to enforce all laws and ordinances; to preserve the peace and public order; to prevent crime; to detect violations of the law; to investigate crimes against persons and property; and to work in conjunction with all other levels of the criminal justice system.

The police department is established by state law and local ordinances and consists of a chief of police and full time officers and non-sworn employees as determined by the city council. The chief executive of the police department is the chief of police, appointed by and subordinate to the Mayor of the City of East Chicago, Indiana. The chief of police is responsible for the direction of all activities of the department. This direction is accomplished through written and oral orders as well as by personal leadership. The chief of police has the final authority in all matters of policy, operations, and discipline.

The department’s administration consists of a police chief, administrative assistant, two deputy chiefs, and a commander of the uniform division. The police department is divided into three divisions: Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Service Division, and the Patrol Division. The CID consists of the adult detective bureau, the juvenile detective bureau, and the gang and narcotic unit. The Criminal Investigation Unit is headed by a Deputy Chief, who reports directly to the chief of police. The Deputy Chief of Police oversees all criminal investigations.

The Service Division consists of the Records Division, the Communication Center, the Evidence and Property Division, the Public Relations Division, the Detention Division and the Information Technology Division. The Administrative Assistant heads the Service Division and reports directly to the Chief of Police. The administrative assistant also assists the Chief of Police in matters pertaining to the department’s operation by providing him with the information on all circumstances affecting the tactics best suited for carrying out the department’s law enforcement responsibilities.

The Uniform Division consists of uniform officers and is headed by the Commander of the Police Department. Included in the Uniform Division are the Community Division and Traffic Division.