Lehigh's police force began as a one-man night watchman in the 1960s, grew into a security force by 1967, and was officially named a department in 1975 to meet the safety needs of an expanding student population and campus. As a police force, officers were required to be professionally trained and continue with safety education.

The LUPD was awarded full accreditation from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program in 2007 – one of only five campus police forces in Pennsylvania with that distinction. It is led by Chief Ed Shupp, who joined the force as a patrolman in 1979 and was named chief in 2000. He currently oversees a staff that includes an assistant chief, a lieutenant, three sergeants, two corporals, 17 patrol officers, plus dispatchers, security guards and part-time events staff.

The LUPD works closely with the Bethlehem Police Department as part of the university's Community Policing Program.