COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
The Hemet Police Department will host a public meeting titled “Hemet Police Department Technology & Transparency: A Community Conversation” to provide residents with an opportunity to learn about the public-safety technology used by the department and ask questions directly of HPD representatives.
The meeting will be held:
Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Location: City of Hemet Council Chambers / Police Department (north side of 450 E. Latham Avenue)
“Public-safety technology can be an extremely valuable tool, but its use must be accompanied by clear policies, appropriate safeguards, accountability, and open communication with the community,”
– Hemet Police Chief Michael Arellano
As technology continues to play an increasingly important role in modern policing, the Hemet Police Department recognizes the importance of keeping the community informed about the tools being used, their purpose, and the policies and safeguards governing their use.
During the meeting, HPD representatives will discuss technologies currently used by the department, which may include automated license plate readers, public-safety camera systems, drones, the department’s Real-Time Information Center, and other tools that assist personnel in preventing, responding to, and investigating crime.
The discussion will address:
- What each technology does, and does not do
- How technology supports emergency responses, criminal investigations, and officer and community safety
- When and under what circumstances these tools may be used
- Policies, oversight, privacy protections, and data safeguards
- How technology has assisted HPD during actual public-safety incidents
- Questions and concerns raised by members of the community
This meeting is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from us, ask difficult questions, and better understand what these technologies can and cannot do. We want this to be a genuine conversation built on facts, transparency, and trust.
The event is open to all members of the public. Community members are encouraged to attend, learn more about the department’s use of technology, and participate in the discussion.
Additional event information will be released throughout the coming weeks, available through the Hemet Police Department’s official social media pages and the City of Hemet website.
Hemet Police Department Event Contact:
Judith Gibson, Press Information Social Media Officer (PISMO) – jgibson@hemetca.gov
Your involvement and partnership play an important role in helping Hemet move forward.