The PNP has a number of divisions, tasked with enforcing specific aspects of the law; among the more well known are DIROES (Special Operations), DIRANDRO (Anti-Narcotics Unit), DIRINCRI (Criminal Investigations), and DIRCOTE (Anti-Terrorism).

In 1845, Ramón Castilla, during his first government, reorganized the National Guard, distributing it in all departments, issued new rules and regulations aimed at delimiting the functions of the Political authorities and the General Inspection of the aforementioned Force.

[5] In 1855, Castilla began his second government by proceeding to reorganize the Gendarmerie, merging the existing Police Corps into it, establishing strict entry requirements and increasing its number.

Manuel Pardo y Lavalle assumed the presidency on August 2, 1872, with one of his first actions being the reorganization of the Police Forces,[6][7] establishing the Civil Guard.

The objectives sought were, among others, to integrate the three police forces to make better use of economic resources, eliminate the conflict that existed between them caused by "double role" problems and, above all, provide better services to society.

[13][14] In 2022, allegations of widespread corruption under General Commander Javier Gallardo – including reports of bribes involving tens of thousands of dollars for rank promotions and payments for more relaxed positions – led to institutional instability in the government of President Pedro Castillo suggestions by the president's prime minister Mirtha Vásquez resulted with General Gallardo being fired on 14 January 2022.

[15] PNP officials believed that the leadership of Gallardo would damage the institution of the police force and sided with Minister of the Interior Avelino Guillén, who ordered his firing.