Chief Michael Arellano is the current chief of police for the Hemet Police Department.
As chief of police, he is responsible for the direction the department takes into the future, overall management of the command staff, and reporting to the city manager.
He was promoted to the rank of chief of police in 2023.
After serving 9 years in the United States Marine Corps, Captain Arellano began his law enforcement career with the San Diego Police Department in 2003. While at the SDPD, he was assigned to the southeastern division where he worked patrol and the crime suppression team.
Captain Arellano transferred to the Hemet Police Department in 2006, and has held the following assignments:
- 2006 – Patrol officer
- 2008 – Canine handler
- 2009 – Field training officer
- 2009 – Special operations unit (SWAT) as an operator, breacher, sniper, and assistant team leader
- 2012 – Promoted to corporal and assigned as a patrol field supervisor
- 2014 – Promoted to sergeant as a watch commander
- 2014 – Honor guard member and coordinator, field training program coordinator, crisis negotiations team leader, asset forfeitures
- 2017 – Selected to supervise the restoring our community strategy (ROCS) team
- 2020 – Promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the operations division
- 2022 – Promoted to captain and assigned to the operations division
- 2023 – Promoted to Chief of Police
- Past board member of the Hemet Police Officer’s Association (HPOA)
- Current board member of the Hemet Police Management Association
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, from California Coast University
- Graduate – California Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Management
- Graduate – The Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute – Class #435
- California Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) certificates – Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, and Management.
Chief Michael Arellano
450 E Latham Ave
Hemet, California 92543
951.765.2400
marellano@hemetca.gov
