The Police Department is organized into three major divisions:

The following is a description of the services provided by each division:

Field Services Division

This division consists largely of uniformed field personnel responsible for enforcement of municipal, state and federal laws. The Patrol Section with its field officers is the main response team for calls for service. Officers are responsible for a specific area and respond to calls, patrol trouble spots and document incidents in that area. The Traffic Unit's motorcycle officers supports the patrol officers' duties. They investigate complex traffic collisions, enforce traffic violations, and are used as normal beat officers when deployment demands increase. Reserve officers, police explorers and volunteers perform many duties which would otherwise be assigned to full time employees. In addition, six sergeants are assigned to Field Services as watch commanders and as the traffic unit supervisor.

Animal Services Unit

Under the auspices of the Field Services Division, the three animal services officers enforce animal regulations.  In addition, one part-time and three full-time Animal Shelter employees plus approximately 25 volunteers, care for over 600 impounded animals at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter each year. The staff also licenses more than 2,500 animals, oversees the City's dog park and assists with the rehabilitation of injured wild animals and birds.

Investigative Services Division

This division is responsible for investigation of crimes, internal affairs, property/evidence, background investigations on new employees, forensic services, court liaison and processing/monitoring of special permits (e.g., taxi and tow yard, etc.). Staffing consists of eight sworn and four non-sworn personnel, all of whom are involved in criminal investigations. The division also handles several administrative assignments. The Neighborhood Watch Program develops preventative measures to reduce crime in the community. The D.A.R.E. program works closely with youth in the classroom to instill resistance to addictive behavior. The CSP Youth Diversion Program provides a diversion alternative to the juvenile justice system by allowing minor juvenile indiscretions to be handled at a more informal level. Division personnel also supplant field operations as increased demands dictate.

Support Services Division

This division provides support functions for the department as a whole including management of records, facility maintenance, purchasing, computer systems, planning and research, public safety communications, parking services, vehicle maintenance, trusty program, jail operations and statistical services. The most critical responsibility involves the Public Safety Communications Section staffed by seven dispatchers who process emergency and non-emergency calls totalling more than 49,000 annually. The Records Section is staffed by five personnel who assist the public at the business counter, process reports, compile statistical information and help prepare documentation for arrests, criminal cases and court citations. The division also handles fleet maintenance for 38 vehicles, processes the department's payroll and co-manages the parking enforcement program.