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

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

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.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

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.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

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.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

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.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

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

STATEWIDE BLITZ

by | Jan 7, 2026 |

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.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly

by | Dec 12, 2025 |

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.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

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

by | Nov 21, 2025 | ,

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.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

Arrests made following assault on school campus

by | Nov 14, 2025 |

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Campus Security at West Valley High School reported a physical altercation involving multiple students on campus.  The School Resource Officer assigned to the high school, who was on campus, immediately responded.

The involved students were quickly separated, and one student received immediate medical attention at the school for minor injuries.  This student was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and was released the same day.

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

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

by | Nov 14, 2025 |

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.

2026 Semiquincentennial Commemorative Police Badges

Feb 12, 2026

Chief Arellano has authorized members of the Hemet Police Department to voluntarily wear commemorative Semiquincentennial police badges from now through December 31, 2026, in recognition of this historic milestone.

Throughout 2026, our officers will proudly wear these Semiquincentennial Commemorative Police Badges, honoring 250 years of American law enforcement service.

These badges symbolize a legacy built on duty, sacrifice, and service, reflecting generations of officers who have stood watch over their communities with honor and integrity.

Pedestrian Killed in Traffic Collision

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.