The town of Lake Clarke Shores has operated a police department with full-time paid staff since November 1970, replacing its former volunteer force. In May 1987, the police department opened its own headquarters at the town hall complex on Barbados Road. The department employs a total of 37 people, with 11 full-time members, including Police Chief Wes Smith III. Although there is no longer a volunteer staff, the department continues to operate the Lake Clarke Shores Police Department's Citizen Observer Patrol Program, with volunteers annually spending an average of over 1,000 hours patrolling the streets and more than 200 hours assisting with administrative staff.
