The Aberdeen Police Department is responsible for protecting and serving the citizens of Aberdeen. The mission is to serve the community of Aberdeen in a collaborative effort to enhance the quality of life through crime prevention, enforcement of laws, promotion of safety, and reduction of fear, services include: Year-round prescription drug take-back site Animal control services, including registration D.A.R.E. Programs Reserve Officer Program School Resource Officers General Law Enforcement services Drug Task Force Canine Program Community Policing Programs Security Assessments Detective Division and Forensic Analysts Internship Program Police Explorer Program NSU Campus Police Special Response Team Sex Offender registration Parking Enforcement Police Chaplain Program.

Programs of the police department include ​Crime Stoppers: a non-profit organization of concerned citizens that provides the public with an anonymous means to relay information concerning criminal activity to law enforcement. Cash rewards are paid for tips that result in the arrest or indictment of those responsible. ​DARE: presented in the Yankton elementary schools. ​Pet Licensing: annual required licensing of dogs and cats. ​Animal Control, ​Citizens Academy, ​Medication Disposal: shares year-round prescription drug take-back site with Yankton County Sheriff's Office; and the ​Sex Offender Registry.

​ Brookings County Sheriff's office provides protection to the citizens of Brookings County. This involves the prevention, detection, apprehension, prosecution, and detention of those persons who violate criminal, civil, state, or local laws. Assistance is available in emergency situations, medical distress, vehicle accidents, and animal control. The County Sheriff is also the contact mental health holds, burning bans, county jails/correctional facilities and fingerprinting (call for specifics). Brookings County Sheriff has a dropbox for proper disposal of prescription medication. Old American flags can be properly disposed of at this location.

The Hanson County Sheriff's Office protects the rights of the citizens within its jurisdiction to be free from criminal attacks, to be secure in their possessions and to live in peace. The department is a year-round prescription drug take-back site. The County Sheriff is also the contact for mental health holds, burning bans, animal control, pistol permits, county jails/correctional facilities and fingerprinting (call for specifics). This office also provides civil service of court papers.