The Centralia Police Department is under the supervision of Chief Harlan Hatton, and reports to the City Administrator. The police department provides the community with a full range of police services, including:
- Receiving and responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service
- Performing directed activities
- Investigation of crimes
- Solving neighborhood problems
- Dispatching police and fire
- Animal Control
- Code enforcement
The Centralia Police Department is made up of approximately 18 employees, 11 sworn police officers, 1 code enforcement officer and a civilian support staff of 6. The officers and staff of the Centralia Police Department are dedicated to providing the highest quality public safety and law enforcement services to people who live, work and visit Centralia, Missouri.
Former Police Chiefs of the Centralia Police Department:
| Robert E. Bias (2018-2021) | Carroll "Bud" Yoder (1985-1991) |
| Lawrence A. Dudgeon (2007-2018) | James Hollis (1980-1984) |
| Samuel Hartsell (2003-2007) | Jerry Colvin (1975-1980) |
| James A. Enlow (1999-2002) | Lee Bryson (1972-1975) |
| James McNabb (1994-1999) | Claude McDonald |
| Gerald Goins (1991-1994) | Frank Fenton |
| E.C Owens |