At the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, the Bayonne, Goethals, and George Washington Bridges, and the Outerbridge Crossing, the duties of PAPD officers are patrol, traffic control, hazardous cargo inspections, truck weigh and emergency services, as well as enforcement for violations of motor vehicle laws.

Police assignments demand a broad range of functions, everything from locating lost children to aiding everyday commuters.

Police Officer/Social Worker teams patrol the bus terminal and identify youngsters who may be runaways, throwaways, or missing persons.

[8][9] The Criminal Investigations Bureau consists of 77 detectives and supervisors that are specifically trained for crimes occurring at transportation facilities.

During the past year, the Criminal Investigations Bureau has worked on computerized airline ticket fraud, and property and drug interdictions[when?].

Members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau also work as part of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to prevent terrorist activities in the region.

Emergency Service Unit members may receive training in the following areas; animal control, hazardous material response, heavy weapon use, bridge and water rescue and tactical operations.

The Canine unit, which consists of 45 police officers, three sergeants, one inspector, and 48 dogs, patrols all Port Authority facilities on a 24-hour basis.

The canine explosive detection teams patrol and search aircraft, airline and cargo buildings, bus terminals, subway stations, vehicles, and unattended luggage and packages.

The K-9 narcotic detection teams patrol and perform a variety of searches at Port Authority facilities and are also used by many other government agencies.

This unit experienced what might be the first loss ever of an American police dog due to international terrorism when Sirius, PAPD Badge #17, died in the collapse of the World Trade Center's South Tower.

[12] In June 1998, the Port Authority Police Department opened a new aircraft rescue, firefighting, and fuel spill trainer facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The facility, one of the largest of its kind in the United States, is used to train Port Authority Police officers in aircraft rescue and firefighting techniques.

The FAA also discovered numerous instances where Port Authority Police permitted untrained officers to be placed in firefighter positions.

[14] After undertaking a study, the PAPD in July 2010 decided to disband its aviation unit, elimination of which would save an estimated $4 million annually in labor, fuel and maintenance costs.

During an eight-month review period from August 2008 through April 2009, the helicopters made 258 flights, 228 of which were security patrols of Port Authority-operated airports, bridges, tunnels, and other properties.

One flight was made in response to the US Airways 1549 "Miracle on the Hudson" incident, but the New York City Police Department waved off the PAPD's assistance.

Throughout their careers, Port Authority Police officers return to the Academy both for refresher courses and for training in new techniques added to the curriculum.

The Police Academy uses state-of-the-art equipment where the staff operates eighteen shooting ports within this computerized firearms training facility.

Features include moveable target lights and noise controls, shoot/do not shoot situations, as well as standard marksmanship instruction.

At the airports the Port Authority utilizes a number of aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicles, known as "crash trucks".

PAPD personnel stationed at the complex provided an immediate response to the terrorist bombing and assisted other responding agencies in evacuating people from the power-stricken complex, many of whom required additional medical assistance as a result of breathing in acrid, sulfurous smoke that had spread from the burning subterranean bomb site at the B-2 level parking garage to the upper floors of the Twin Towers via connecting elevator shafts and stair wells.