NAICS 922120 Quarterly Industry Report
Police Protection
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 922120Sector: Public Administration (92)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Police Protection (NAICS 922120) draws on data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics[2], U.S. Census Bureau[3], and the SBA[4]. Fair Market Value analysts examine law enforcement staffing data, agency counts, and funding sources specific to NAICS 922120. Additional data is drawn from Bureau of Labor Statistics[5].. Quarterly updates reflect changes in policing practices, staffing levels, and grant funding across federal, state, and local agencies.
Industry Definition & Overview
Police Protection (NAICS 922120) encompasses government establishments primarily engaged in criminal and civil law enforcement, police, traffic safety, and other activities related to the enforcement of the law and preservation of order. This classification covers municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices (except those performing only court functions), state police and highway patrol agencies, and federal law enforcement bodies. Campus police at public universities also fall within this code.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics[2] conducts the Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, which identified over 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. Municipal police departments make up the largest share, followed by sheriff's offices, state agencies, and special-purpose police forces. Agency sizes range from one-officer departments in rural towns to the New York City Police Department with over 35,000 sworn officers.
Law enforcement employment represents one of the largest segments of local government payroll. The Census Bureau's ASPEP survey[3] tracks police protection as a distinct governmental function. Funding comes overwhelmingly from local tax revenue, with state and federal grants supplementing budgets for equipment, training, and specialized programs. Body-worn camera deployment, data-driven policing strategies, and community-oriented policing models continue to reshape daily operational practices across departments of all sizes.
What's Included in This Industry
- Municipal police departments and town constabularies
- County sheriff's offices with law enforcement duties
- State police and highway patrol agencies
- Federal law enforcement agencies (FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals)
- Campus police departments at public institutions
- Transit and airport police departments
- Park police and conservation law enforcement
- Harbor and port authority police
- Special district police forces
- Government detective and investigative units
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Public Administration | 92 |
| Subsector | Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities | 922 |
| Industry Group | Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities | 9221 |
| NAICS Industry | Police Protection | 92212 |
| National Industry | Police Protection | 922120 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 922110 | Courts | Courts that adjudicate cases initiated by police arrests and where officers testify as witnesses in criminal prosecution proceedings |
| 922130 | Legal Counsel and Prosecution | Legal counsel and prosecution offices that work with police to build criminal cases, review evidence, and present charges before the courts |
| 922140 | Correctional Institutions | Correctional institutions that receive individuals arrested by police and sentenced through the criminal justice system for incarceration |
| 922150 | Parole Offices and Probation Offices | Parole and probation offices that monitor released offenders, sometimes coordinating with police on warrant enforcement and compliance checks |
| 922160 | Fire Protection | Fire protection agencies that respond alongside police to emergencies, accidents, and public safety incidents requiring multi-agency coordination |
| 922190 | Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities | Other justice and public safety offices providing forensic laboratories, emergency dispatch, and other services that support police operations |
SBA Lending Summary
8
Total SBA Loans
$1.2M
Total Loan Volume
$150K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
11.50%
Average Interest Rate
112
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[1]
Key Insight: The U.S. Small Business Administration[4] does not establish size standards for NAICS 922120 because police agencies are government establishments. Private firms providing equipment, technology, or training to law enforcement are classified under their own NAICS codes. Those contractors may qualify for SBA programs including the 7(a) loan program[6] and 504 loan program[7] based on their respective industry size standards.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of agencies are classified under NAICS 922120?
NAICS 922120 covers all government law enforcement agencies, including municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, state police, federal agencies like the FBI and DEA, and specialized forces such as campus, transit, and park police. The Census Bureau[8] defines this industry as establishments engaged in criminal and civil law enforcement.
How are police agencies structured across government levels?
Local agencies include municipal police and county sheriffs. State-level agencies encompass state police, highway patrols, and investigative bureaus. Federal agencies operate nationwide with specific jurisdictions, such as the FBI for federal crimes and the DEA for drug enforcement. The Bureau of Justice Statistics[2] identified over 18,000 state and local agencies.
Does the SBA assign a size standard to NAICS 922120?
No. The SBA[9] does not set size standards for Sector 92 codes because they represent government entities. Private vendors selling equipment or services to police agencies use their own NAICS codes for SBA eligibility.
What NAICS codes are closely related to 922120?
Related codes include 922110 (Courts), 922130 (Legal Counsel and Prosecution), 922140 (Correctional Institutions), 922150 (Parole and Probation), and 922160 (Fire Protection). The Census Bureau[10] groups these under Subsector 9221.
What private-sector industries commonly serve police departments?
IT firms (NAICS 541512), security service companies (NAICS 561612), management consultants (NAICS 541611), and investigation services (NAICS 561611) are frequent contractors. Vehicle manufacturers, communications equipment providers, and body armor suppliers also serve law enforcement extensively.
What activities are included under NAICS 922120?
Activities include patrol operations, criminal investigation, traffic enforcement, emergency response, evidence collection, warrant service, and community policing programs. The Bureau of Justice Statistics[2] tracks these functions across all government-funded law enforcement agencies.
Can businesses supplying police agencies qualify for SBA loans?
Where are police protection agencies concentrated?
Police agencies are distributed across every jurisdiction in the United States, from small-town departments to major metropolitan forces. Large concentrations of sworn officers exist in cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. Federal agencies are headquartered in Washington, D.C., with field offices nationwide.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [2]Bureau of Justice Statistics bjs.ojp.gov
- [3]Census Bureau's ASPEP survey census.gov
- [4]SBA sba.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [7]504 loan program sba.gov
- [8]Census Bureau census.gov
- [9]SBA sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau census.gov
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