The Mutare Municipal Police was established under Section 142 of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15], which states that without derogation from section one hundred and forty-one:

1. a Council may appoint in terms of that section employees for the purpose of assisting in the control and protection of the property under the control of the council;
2. a municipal Council may appoint in terms of that section Parking Supervisors to assist the police in the enforcement of any enactment to which the Municipal By-Laws Enforcement Act [Chapter 29:10] applies.

The section is divided in to the following units:-

1. Environmental Patrol
2. Cash Escort
3. Licensing Unit
4. Protection Unit
5. Ranging Unit
6. Dog Section
7. Traffic Section
8. V.I.P Protection Unit
9. Training Unit

The section is responsible for:-

1. Enforcement of Council by-laws
2. Guarding and protection of Council properties, asserts, councillors and employees
3. Providing cash escort
4. Advise Council on matters pertaining to security
5. Liaise with state security agents, private security and all matters pertaining to security risk