Central Police Services (CPS) was designed to provide centralized support services for local police agencies in the areas of law enforcement, training, information and records, communications, and laboratory functions. An environmental discussion demonstrates how the CPS are uniquely designed to respond to specific geographical and crime challenges in Erie County. The historical development of the organization is traced from the initial planning stages to the implementation of the different administrative divisions through legislative and executive action. The division of law enforcement information systems provides for the collection, retention, maintenance, and dissemination of information to all law enforcement agencies in the county. The EMPIRE system, a general purpose computer system, includes such subsystems as appearance ticket applications, information on intoxicated drivers, a stolen vehicle hot sheet application, and a crime laboratory application. The communications division maintains contact with field personnel and translates into action the necessary protective measures. The training academy division provides professional training in law enforcement and acquaints prospective officers with today's complex scientific methodology in crime detection. The forensic laboratory is devoted to the analysis of physical evidence and provides services in the areas of chemistry, serology, firearms identification, document examinations, and other criminalistics. Finally, the administrative function provides management and adminstrative support for the operation of the four divisions. The article includes charts, graphs, maps, footnotes, and an approximately 70-item bibliography.