The police department currently employs 452 sworn police officers, 137 civilians and several reserve police officers. Providing a high level of public service is the police department's mission.

The department, headed by Chief Gregory Mullen, has many resources and specialized personnel at its disposal. The Charleston Police Department was the first municipal law enforcement agency in the State of South Carolina to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).