The DRPS has a strength of over 900 sworn officers and over 300 unsworn members, and serves the following local municipalities, with a combined population of 706,200: The DRPS was formed in 1974 through the amalgamation of a number of local police forces in the area, coinciding with the establishment of the Regional Municipality of Durham.

Budgeted expenditures for DRPS in Durham Region's 2020 budget were $241.4 million[2] In October 2008, the Durham Regional Police Service was named one of "Canada's Top 100 Employers" by Mediacorp Canada Inc. and was featured in Maclean's newsmagazine.

[clarification needed] In late May 2019, after a request by the Ministry of the Solicitor General (Ontario), the Ontario Civilian Police Commission issued an order that appointed a retired Toronto deputy chief, Mike Federico, as administrator to oversee the force during the OCPC investigation[4] after some of the senior ranks were alleged to have been corrupt and of an abuse of power.

[5][6] Federico’s responsibilities were to include "approving promotions and overseeing all internal discipline".

They also police the area of and around Beaverton, Thorah Island, and parts of the Trent-Severn Waterway.

and with the York Regional Police for Lake Simcoe as well as side-scan sonar and diver services.

[15] The DRPS crest is used on vehicles, headgear and uniforms, and consists of St. Edward's Crown over a round blue shield with the legend "Durham Regional Police" in white, encircling a red maple leaf overlaid with gold scales of justice.