The position reports directly to the head of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (CPLC) of the Chinese Communist Party.

Officially, the minister is nominated by the premier of the State Council, who is then approved by the National People's Congress or its Standing Committee and appointed by the president.

[1][non-primary source needed] The minister is tasked with overseeing the public security police forces throughout the country.

[2] The minister concurrently serves as the director of the MPS Special Duty Bureau, responsible for protecting high-ranking political leaders.

The minister also usually serves as a state councillor and as the deputy secretary of the CPLC.