922120 - Police Protection

When it comes to public safety and law enforcement, NAICS code 922120 - Police Protection plays a vital role. This classification is essential for agencies and businesses involved in maintaining law and order across communities in the United States. Whether you’re a government contractor, researcher, or part of a law enforcement entity, understanding this NAICS code offers valuable insight into the scope, activities, and size standards associated with police protection services.

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What is NAICS Code 922120?

NAICS 922120 – Police Protection is an industry classification under the Public Administration sector that encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing police protection services. These services include:

• Enforcement of laws and ordinances
• Prevention of crime
• Investigation of criminal activities

The code captures a wide array of police-related functions, from patrol and investigation to specialized enforcement activities.

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Sector and Typical Business Activities

Sector: Public Administration

Under this NAICS code, entities deliver various police and law enforcement functions, including but not limited to:

• Municipal and state police departments
• Sheriff's offices
• Highway patrols
• Federal agencies like the FBI and DEA
• Specialized police forces such as park police and transit police

Typical business activities include:

• Patrolling communities to deter crime
• Responding to emergencies and criminal incidents
• Conducting criminal investigations
• Enforcing state, local, and federal laws
• Operating police academies for training officers

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Size Standards for NAICS 922120

To qualify under this NAICS code for federal contracting or small business programs, an establishment’s eligibility often considers the number of employees or annual revenue. The small business size standard for NAICS 922120 is:

• Maximum of 1,500 employees

(This standard is set by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and subject to change, so always check the latest guidelines).

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Examples of Businesses and Agencies Under NAICS 922120

• Municipal Police Departments
• Sheriff's Offices
• State Police Agencies
• Government offices involved with criminal investigations (FBI, DEA)
• Highway patrol units
• Park, transit, and housing police services

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NAICS Code 922120 Detailed Code Breakdown

Code Detail	Description
Alcohol, tobacco, and firearms control	Enforcement and regulation of alcohol, tobacco, and firearm laws
Criminal investigation offices, government	Government-led agencies specializing in the investigation of crimes
DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)	Federal agency focused on enforcing controlled substances laws
Drug enforcement agencies and offices	Entities specializing in drug-related law enforcement
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)	Federal investigative agency handling national security and criminal investigations
Federal police services	Various federal police forces
Highway patrols	State-level agencies patrolling highways for law enforcement
Police	General police departments and services
Housing police, government	Police departments focused on public housing communities
Marshals' offices	U.S. Marshal Service offices responsible for federal law enforcement
Park police	Police departments providing security in public parks
Police academies	Training institutions for police officers
Police and fire departments, combined	Combined departments managing both police and fire services
Police departments (except American Indian or Alaska Native)	General police departments excluding American Indian or Alaska Native areas
Sheriffs' offices (except court functions only)	County-level law enforcement excluding judicial-related functions
State police	State-level law enforcement agencies
Transit police	Police entities focused on transit systems and security

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Frequently Asked Questions about NAICS Code 922120

What types of entities are classified under NAICS 922120?

Entities primarily involved in police protection such as city police departments, county sheriff’s offices, state police, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Can private security companies be classified under NAICS 922120?

No, private security firms typically fall under a different NAICS code (e.g., 561612 - Security Guards and Patrol Services).

How does this NAICS code relate to federal contracting?

NAICS 922120 helps in identifying police protection agencies for government contracting, small business eligibility, and program participation.

What is the employee size standard for small businesses under this code?

The current SBA standard defines small businesses as those with 1,500 employees or fewer in this industry.

Are all police-related entities included under this code?

Most police protection services are included except for specific tribal police departments, which are classified separately.

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Conclusion

NAICS code 922120 - Police Protection is a crucial classification for entities dedicated to upholding law and order across the United States. With a broad spectrum of organizations ranging from municipal police departments to federal agencies, this code helps define the police protection sector within public administration. Whether you’re engaging in government contracting or researching public safety services, understanding NAICS 922120’s details, size standards, and associated activities is indispensable.

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Optimize your understanding of law enforcement industries with NAICS code 922120 to better navigate government contracts, compliance, and growth opportunities in police protection.