Up to $60,000 Hiring Bonus for Lateral

450 E. Latham Ave.
Hemet, CA 92543

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

Judith Gibson

STATEWIDE BLITZ

STATEWIDE BLITZ

During the final shopping days leading up to Christmas, multiple California law enforcement agencies, including the Hemet Police Department, participated in a coordinated enforcement operation aimed at combating organized retail theft and promoting a safe shopping environment throughout the state.

The collaborative statewide retail theft blitz occurred on Friday, December 19, 2025, and resulted in 66 arrests for organized retail theft and related offenses. Law enforcement agencies also recovered more than 552 stolen items, with an estimated value of $14,050.86.

The statewide blitz was coordinated by the California Highway Patrol, in collaboration with the Hemet Police Department, Santa Monica Police Department, Santa Ana Police Department, Chino Police Department, San Diego Police Department, and the Orange County and Riverside County District Attorney’s Offices.

OPERATION HOLIDAY CHEER

OPERATION HOLIDAY CHEER

This week, on December 17th and 18th, law enforcement agencies from across Riverside County will take part in the annual “Operation Holiday Cheer” – a festive event honoring the hard work and sacrifice of healthcare professionals during the holiday season. Now in its fifth year, the all-day trek has grown significantly to include nearly 60 law enforcement agencies from seven counties across the state – as well as Santa Claus and other holiday guests – who will visit over 40 hospitals and cover an area of more than 28,000 miles. Participating agencies from Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties will gather outside local hospitals, filling parking lots with lights, sirens, and holiday cheer to show appreciation to their fellow first responders and bring smiles to patients needing a little extra holiday spirit.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly

The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Hemet Police Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

Hemet pd K9s Argo and Bosco to get donation of body armor

Hemet Police Department, CA, K9s Argo and Bosco will receive bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Both vests were sponsored by Ginny Johnson of Prineville, OR and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always”. Delivery is expected within ten weeks.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

HPD awarded $105,000 Grant to Increase Safety on Roads

The Hemet Police Department announced today that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads. The grant program runs through September 2026.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

5 SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN ORT BLITZ OPERATION

On Friday, October 24, 2025, the Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team conducted a “Blitz” operation at the Village West Shopping Center. The purpose of this operation was to address and deter organized retail theft activities that continue to affect local businesses.

Between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., undercover officers worked in close partnership with store staff and security personnel to identify and apprehend individuals engaging in theft-related activities. Their efforts resulted in five arrests over the course of the operation. Four felony cases and one misdemeanor case were filed, a parole hold was issued, one vehicle was towed, and officers recovered $624 in stolen merchandise.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

FATAL SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

Hemet, Calif. — On Monday, October 13, 2025, at approximately 9:46 a.m., the Hemet Public Safety Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a shooting in the 3100 block of West Florida Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located a deceased adult male with an apparent gunshot wound. The identity of the deceased will not be disclosed at this time, pending official family notification.
This is an active homicide investigation handled by the Hemet Police Department’s Investigations Bureau. Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Corporal Sobaszek at (951)765-2497 or provide an anonymous tip through the Hemet Police Department’s smartphone app, available for free in the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android users.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

HEMET POLICE CONDUCT DUI SAFETY CHECKPOINT

The Hemet Police Department will hold a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, September 15th, 2025, from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am at an undisclosed location within the City of Hemet.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on DUI crashes and arrests data collection and statistical information. The primary purpose of checkpoints is to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.  During the checkpoint, Officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The safety of our community is and always will be our mission.  Driving under the influence is dangerous and puts a further strain on critical resources.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

September is Pedestrian Safety Month

September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California. The Hemet Police Department would like to remind drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads. By always taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around any community.

According to projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,148 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes across the United States in 2024. In California alone, pedestrian deaths make up more than 24 percent of all traffic-related fatalities.

STATEWIDE BLITZ

Fatal Traffic Collision

On Monday, August 25th, 2025, at approximately 6:02 AM, Hemet Police Communications Center received several calls regarding a traffic collision in the area of Warren Road and Poplar Street, in the City of Hemet (County of Riverside).  Hemet Police Officers arrived on scene within minutes and located three involved vehicles, with one of the drivers being unresponsive.  Medical aid was rendered to the unresponsive female driver.  Despite these life-saving measures, the female driver succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision.  One of the other involved drivers was transported to Riverside University Health System Medical Center (RUHS) for what appeared to be minimal to moderate injuries.  The third driver involved in this collision remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation.

OPERATION HOLIDAY CHEER

This week, on December 17th and 18th, law enforcement agencies from across Riverside County will take part in the annual “Operation Holiday Cheer” – a festive event honoring the hard work and sacrifice of healthcare professionals during the holiday season. Now in its fifth year, the all-day trek has grown significantly to include nearly 60 law enforcement agencies from seven counties across the state – as well as Santa Claus and other holiday guests – who will visit over 40 hospitals and cover an area of more than 28,000 miles. Participating agencies from Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties will gather outside local hospitals, filling parking lots with lights, sirens, and holiday cheer to show appreciation to their fellow first responders and bring smiles to patients needing a little extra holiday spirit.

Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly

The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Hemet Police Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.