Monday, February 2, 2026
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is structured to ensure effective leadership, accountability, and specialized support across all areas of public safety. At the top is the Executive Office of the Chief of Police, which provides overall direction and oversight for the department.
MPD’s operational and support functions are organized into two patrol service areas and several specialized bureaus. To view the full organizational charts and detailed structure, click the link below.
Definitions
The following definitions explain the various elements identified in the attached organizational charts:
- Branch: A sub-element of an office or division that typically has two or more sections.
- Bureau: A major element of the department which manages field operations or provides other essential support functions.
- District: A geographic subdivision of Patrol Services (PS).
- Division: A sub-element of a bureau or office that typically contains at least two sub-elements that may be branches, sections or units.
- Offic: An element that typically provides support functions to the entire Department.
- Patrol Services: Two elements of the department that manage field operations, Patrol Services North (PSN) and Patrol Services South (PSS).
- Police Service Area (PSA): A geographical subdivision in a district.
- Section: A sub-element of an office, division or branch that typically has two or more units or teams.
- Team: A sub-element of a district, division, branch or section that performs a specific task or operation, or provides a specific service.
- Unit: A sub-element of an office, branch or section typically containing more than one staff person and performing a specialized function.
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