The Long Beach Police Port Security Unit was established on December 17, 2001, in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Homeland Security priorities require a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week law enforcement presence on land and on water to protect the second busiest port in the nation. The port is vital to the US economy and approximately 41 percent of the nation’s goods are processed through the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Currently, the Port Security Unit provides law enforcement on all Long Beach waterways, land-side patrols, conduct cruise line and ship escorts, assist recreational vessels, conduct ship sea marshaling and deployment of police dive personnel. The Port Security Unit works closely with the United States Coast Guard and surrounding law enforcement agencies to complete its mission.