The 81st Armed Police Division is a unit of China's People's Armed Police.
The 3rd Security Brigade, was founded in September 3 1946.
The Brigade was renamed to the 81st Division () was created in February 1949 basing on the 27th Division, 9th Column of Huadong Field Army.
In November 1950, Artillery Regiment, 81st Division was activated in Antung, Liaoning.
In October 1952, the division returned to China. Artillery Regiment, 81st Infantry Division detached and transferred to 24th Corps.
In February 1953, Tank Regiment, 81st Infantry Division was activated. On August 17 the regiment was renamed as 286th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment.
In April 1953, Artillery Regiment, 81st Infantry Division was reactivated in Shanghai. On August 17, the regiment was renamed as 361st Artillery Regiment.
From April 1954, the division was stationed in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu.
In April 1960, the division was renamed as the 81st Army Division ().
From June 1962, the maintained as southern army division, category B. By then the division was composed of:
In August 1967, 286th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment detached from the division to form 10th Tank Division.
In August 1969, the division moved to Handan, Hebei. From then the division maintained as northern army division, category A.
In August 1971, the division was reorganized as a motorized army division. Tank Regiment, 81st Army Division and AAA Regiment, 81st Army Division were activated. By then the division was composed of:
In August 1985, the division was renamed as the 81st Motorized Infantry Division () and reorganized as a motorized division, category B. 250th Infantry Regiment of the disbanding 84th Army Division was attached to the division. Tank Regiment, 81st Division detached to form Tank Brigade, 27th Army. Tank Regiment, 66th Army Corps was transferred to the division as the new Tank Regiment, 81st Division.
By then the division was composed of:
In September 1989, the division was converted to a northern motorized division, category B. 250th Infantry Regiment was disbanded.
In September 1996, the division was transferred to the People's Armed Police and renamed as the 81st Armed Police Division () and was designated as unit 8630. It was headquartered in Tianjin:
The division was then composed of:
The division was tasked with assisting with security during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.