Up to $60,000 Hiring Bonus for Lateral

Lateral Police OfficerLateral Dispatcher

450 E. Latham Ave.
Hemet, CA 92543

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

News Releases

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

by | May 11, 2026 |

On May 9, 2026, the Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team conducted a targeted enforcement operation at Marshalls, Burlington, and Ulta Beauty in the City of Hemet.

This undercover operation resulted in the arrest of six adults on multiple theft-related charges. Through the coordinated efforts of officers and retail partners, approximately $430 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to the businesses.

The continued success of these operations is made possible through the strong partnership between the Hemet Police Department and local retailers committed to keeping the community safe.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

May is National Bicycle Safety Month

by | May 5, 2026 |

From children riding to school to older adults staying active and healthy, bicycling is both a pastime and a mode of transportation for thousands of Californians. May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Hemet Police Department is urging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,166 people killed while riding a bike on U.S. roads in 2023, and an estimated 49,489 bicyclists were injured. In California, there were 145 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023.

“It is important that we keep our bicyclists safe, as they do not have the same protections as drivers and passengers,” said Sergeant Matt Chavez. “People of all ages use bicycles to commute to school, work, and other activities. Bicyclists, like all road users, have the right to safe streets. We encourage drivers and bicyclists to look out for one another and practice safe habits so we may all go safely.”

To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Hemet Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way and stop sign/red light running.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

Clarification Regarding Santa Fe St Homicide Investigation

by | Apr 16, 2026 |

The Hemet Police Department is issuing a clarification regarding the death investigation that occurred in the 900 block of South Santa Fe Street during the early morning hours of April 8, 2026.

Based on the investigation to date, there are no outstanding suspects related to this incident, and investigators do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the community.

Preliminary findings indicate the deceased male was the only person involved in the attempted burglary at the residence. 

This case remains an active investigation as detectives continue to review all facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. As is standard practice, the completed investigation will be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for review.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

homicide investigation

by | Apr 14, 2026 |

Hemet, Calif. – On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at approximately 12:35 am, the Hemet Police Department received a call of a possible burglary in progress in the 900 block of S. Santa Fe Street.  When officers arrived at the scene, they located a male down in the front yard of the residence, suffering from multiple lacerations and stab wounds.  The male was treated on scene and transported by AMR to a local trauma center for further medical treatment.  Despite lifesaving efforts, the male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

Hemet Police Department addressing Online Misinformation

by | Mar 13, 2026 |

The Hemet Police Department is aware of information currently circulating on social media and within the community referencing a residence in the City of Hemet where several missing juveniles were allegedly located.

After reviewing the information and consulting with our partners at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, we have confirmed that no residence in the City of Hemet was involved in this incident. Claims circulating on social media that a Hemet home contained 37 missing juveniles are false and completely inaccurate.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

by | Feb 17, 2026 |

On Tuesday, February 17th 2026, at approximately 3:08 A.M., Hemet Police Communications Center received a call regarding a traffic collision that occurred in the area of Sanderson Avenue and Florida Avenue, in the City of Hemet. Hemet Police Officers arrived on scene and located a white Volkswagen sedan and a silver Honda that were involved in the collision. The driver of the Honda fled the location prior to officers’ arrival, and the driver of the Volkswagen was unresponsive. Officers began rendering aid to the unresponsive driver until they were relieved by medical personnel. The unresponsive driver was later transported to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased. The driver who fled the scene was located a short distance from the scene of the collision and taken into custody.

Based on these circumstances, the Hemet Police Department Traffic Bureau responded to the scene of the collision and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed that the white Volkswagen was traveling west on Florida Avenue, approaching Sanderson Avenue, when the driver attempted to make a U-turn and was struck by the silver Honda. Impaired driving does appear to be a factor, and the identity of the deceased is being withheld pending family notification. The 3200 block of eastbound Florida Avenue was closed from approximately 03:08 am to 07:30 am.

If you witnessed this collision or have any helpful information for Traffic Investigators, you are urged to contact Officer Reineke at (951)765-2400 and reference file #2026-01240.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

Pedestrian Killed in Traffic Collision

by | Feb 7, 2026 |

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.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

Hemet Police Department Aware of Potential School Walkout

by | Feb 5, 2026 | ,

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.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

by | Feb 2, 2026 |

On February 1, 2026, at approximately 6:49 p.m., a Hemet Police officer was on patrol when he observed a collision that had just occurred at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Hamilton Avenue. The officer immediately stopped and discovered that a vehicle and a bicyclist were both involved in the collision. The bicyclist was found in the roadway suffering from major injuries. The Officer initiated life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived. Despite those efforts, the bicyclist later succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

SIX ARRESTED IN ORT “BLITZ”

FATAL SHOOTING INVESTIGATION – Update

by | Jan 29, 2026 |

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.

fatal Traffic Collision

May 8, 2026

On Thursday May 7th, 2026, at approximately 3:32 PM, Hemet Police Communications Center received a call regarding a single vehicle traffic collision that occurred near the area of Kirby Street and Cypress Street, in the City of Hemet. Officers arrived on scene within minutes and located an unresponsive motorcyclist down adjacent to the roadway.

May is National Bicycle Safety Month

May 5, 2026

From children riding to school to older adults staying active and healthy, bicycling is both a pastime and a mode of transportation for thousands of Californians. May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Hemet Police Department is urging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,166 people killed while riding a bike on U.S. roads in 2023, and an estimated 49,489 bicyclists were injured. In California, there were 145 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023.

“It is important that we keep our bicyclists safe, as they do not have the same protections as drivers and passengers,” said Sergeant Matt Chavez. “People of all ages use bicycles to commute to school, work, and other activities. Bicyclists, like all road users, have the right to safe streets. We encourage drivers and bicyclists to look out for one another and practice safe habits so we may all go safely.”

To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Hemet Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way and stop sign/red light running.