Hemet, CA.- On Friday, July 24th, 2026, at approximately 09:48 AM, Hemet Police Officers responded to a local business after employees reported that a male subject was causing a disturbance, threatening employees, and refusing to leave the premises. Dispatch personnel could hear a verbal altercation occurring in the background while speaking with the caller.
Officers contacted the individual inside the business, and he initially cooperated with officers as they escorted him outside. Once outside, the individual became aggressive and uncooperative, resulting in a physical confrontation with the officers. Force was used during the encounter, and the subject was ultimately taken into custody.
The Hemet Police Department is aware that that portions of the incident were captured on video by a bystander and later shared on social media, where concerns have been raised regarding the officers’ use of force. The Department takes all use-of-force incidents seriously. As with every such incident, a comprehensive administrative and criminal review is being conducted to determine whether the officers’ actions were consistent with department policy, state law, and the totality of circumstances.
The Department recognizes that videos shared on social media may capture only a portion of an incident and may not reflect the full sequence of events. The investigation will include all available evidence, including body-worn camera footage, witness statements, physical evidence, and any additional video recordings before any conclusions are reached. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact Sergeant Gabe Gomez or Lieutenant Josiah Douglas at 951-765-2400 and reference case number 2026-05424.