It plays a key role in maintenance of law and order in the state of Kerala.

The department oversees the maintenance of law and order, prevention and control of crime, prosecution of criminals besides dealing with fire services and prisons administration.

The department is also the cadre controlling authority of Indian Police Service (IPS) (Kerala Cadre) and Kerala Police Service (KPS).

The Chief Minister generally serves as the departmental minister, and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home & Vigilance), an IAS officer, is the administrative head of the department.

Assisting the Minister is the Home Secretary also known as the Additional Chief Secretary, a senior IAS officer, who handles the day-to-day administrative affairs of the department.