Up to $60,000 Hiring Bonus for Lateral

450 E. Latham Ave.
Hemet, CA 92543

Non-Emergency:  (951) 765-2400
Emergency – Dial 911

Lt. Derek Maddox

OPERATION HOLIDAY WATCH

OPERATION HOLIDAY WATCH

During the final shopping days before Christmas, several California law enforcement agencies, including the Hemet Police Department, coordinated a successful enforcement operation targeting organized retail crime and promoting a safe shopping environment for communities throughout California. 

The collaborative statewide retail theft crackdown on Friday, December 20, 2024 resulted in 117 arrests, the recovery of over $38,000 in stolen merchandise, the seizure of two illegal firearms, and the recovery of three stolen vehicles.  The charges range from petty theft, grand theft, organized retail theft, felon in possession of a firearm and auto theft.

OPERATION HOLIDAY WATCH

Proposition 36 is in effect

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, known as “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.” Proposition 36 took effect on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Proposition 36 modifies existing laws and adds substantive charges and enhancements to areas of the California Penal Code and Health and Safety Code regarding theft, property damage, and drug-related crimes.

OPERATION HOLIDAY WATCH

fatal traffic collision

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, at approximately 07:57 am, Hemet Police Officers responded to a traffic collision west of the intersection of Kirby Street and Acacia Avenue.

Officers arrived on the scene within minutes and located the two vehicles involved; a smaller passenger vehicle and a City of Hemet Public Works utility truck. An adult male, later discovered to be a City of Hemet employee for the Public Works Department was discovered unresponsive at the scene. Officers immediately began providing first aid, but unfortunately the male succumbed to his injuries on scene.

OPERATION HOLIDAY WATCH

It all add$ up

Hemet, California – On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, members of the Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team, with the assistance of Menifee Police Department’s Problem Orientated Police (POP) Team conducted an Organized Retail Theft Sting at Lowes Home Improvement Store in the City of Hemet.

Pedestrian Killed in Traffic Collision

Hemet, CA.- On February 6th, 2026, at approximately 6:00pm, Hemet Police Officers responded to a traffic collision that occurred in the 200 block of N. San Jacinto Street in the City of Hemet. Officers responded to the location and located an unresponsive female down in the roadway. Officers immediately began performing life-saving measures until relieved by medical personnel. Despite these life-saving efforts, the female succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision. The driver involved in this collision also remained on scene and was cooperative with investigators.

Based on these circumstances, the Hemet Police Department Traffic Bureau responded and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed that the female pedestrian entered the roadway for unknown reasons, and a collision occurred. Impaired driving is not suspected, and the identity of the deceased is being withheld pending family notification. San Jacinto Street was closed from Devonshire to Latham Avenue for several hours while investigators processed the scene.

If you witnessed this collision or have any helpful information for Traffic Investigators, you are urged to contact Officer Jared Florez at (951)765-2400 and reference case #2026-00996.

Hemet Police Department Aware of Potential School Walkout

The Hemet Police Department is aware of flyers currently circulating on social media and within the community that reference a potential student walkout at some Hemet-area schools on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The flyers appear to reference a form of First Amendment–protected expression and protest. The Hemet Police Department respects the constitutional rights of individuals to engage in lawful expression, while recognizing California truancy policies, as well as school district attendance and safety policies regarding campus operations.