The Research Division is involved in identifying the needs and problems of police services in the country and initiate, stimulate and guide research in this field in coordination with various academic and professional institutions. It also organizes seminars, symposia, workshops and congress on various subject of topical interests to the police forces in India to develop national consensus and draw actionable conclusions.

The Standing Committee on Police Research under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary, is charged with the responsibility of guiding the BPR&D in selecting appropriate research topics and farming them out to individuals or institutions; recommending technology development; and identifying effective policing programmes and policies. 

Research study proposals received from various sectors of the society are scrutinized and placed before the Standing Committee members for their suggestions/concurrence.   Having concurrence of Standing Committee members, the research study selected for sponsoring is granted the budget in three equal installments as per the norms.   The monitoring and supervising the ongoing research studies are the responsibility   of the sections of the Research Division from where the study is granted.