The Bureau of Street Services, Investigation and Enforcement Division is the law enforcement agency of the Department of Public Works. The Investigation and Enforcement Division has a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Los Angeles Police Department permitting the exercise of peace officer authority.

Street Services Investigators are duly appointed "public officers" pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 61.07(a) with the power of arrest of a "peace officer" as authorized by California Penal Code (PC) Section 830.7(j). Section 830.7 grants Investigators the same law enforcement arrest authority exercised by police officers or sheriff deputies (PC 836) for specified illegal dumping related matters.

In addition, Street Services Investigators have the authority to issue "personal service" criminal citations (Notices to Appear in Court), the power to serve warrants, make arrests for offenses that are a violation of state law or municipal ordinance; obtain criminal history information from the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS); carry self-defense weapons and impound vehicles.

Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 61.07(a) and PC 830.7(j) require Investigators to satisfy state-mandated selection standards for peace officers (Government Code Section 1029) and state training requirements for law enforcement officers (California Penal Code Section 832).

While this law enforcement authority is an effective tool, it is mainly utilized for flagrant and/or recurring types of violations. For minor violations or certain infractions, compliance is obtained through the issuance of "Nuisance Notices" (non-criminal administrative citations) or via the Administrative/City Attorney Hearing process.

The goal of the Investigation and Enforcement Division is to gain compliance by partnering with the community. Street Services Investigators are dedicated law enforcement professionals committed to improving the quality of life in the City of Los Angeles.