The Bristol Police Department was formed in the 1890s. The department headquarters has been located on Metacom Avenue since 1978 and is home to the mobile command post, and patrol and detective divisions. The building is also equipped with a training room, holding cells, and an indoor firearm range.
Divisions of the Bristol Police Department include the Bike Patrol Unit, Detective Division (Prosecution Division and Bureau of Criminal Investigation) and Patrol Division (including Motorcycle Unit)
The law enforcement force, made up of 40 sworn officers and 12 civilians, is lead by Police Chief Joshua Canario.