On September 2, Sheriff’s Captain James Rayls retired from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office after 29 years of service, closing out a distinguished career that spanned nearly three decades. Since 2022, Rayls has served as the chief law enforcement officer for Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, and Wildomar.
Upon retirement, the Lake Elsinore City Council and the Wildomar City Council honored Rayls for his service. The Canyon Lake City Council will be honoring him during the September 23 city council meeting.
A graduate of California Baptist University, Rayls earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1995 before beginning his law enforcement career with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in April 1996.
Rayls started in corrections, serving until 2000 before transferring to the Lake Elsinore Station. There, he worked patrol operations, the Special Enforcement Team, lake patrol operations, and off-road vehicle enforcement.
In 2005, Rayls was promoted to sheriff’s investigator at the Lake Elsinore Station, handling cases involving person crimes, sex crimes, and infant deaths.
Two years later, in 2007, Rayls was promoted to sheriff’s sergeant and returned to corrections, where he established the first Gang Investigations Unit.
In 2010, Rayls transferred to the Moreno Valley Station, where he worked patrol operations, administration, and supervised the investigations bureau. He also oversaw the Riverside University Health System hospital contract and played a key role in planning and implementing the citywide camera system.
By 2017, Rayles had been promoted to Lieutenant at the Southwest Station, managing the City of Temecula contract, patrol operations, the investigations bureau, traffic bureau, and administration. He also assisted with planning and implementing Temecula’s citywide camera system.
Rayls returned to the Lake Elsinore Station in 2020 and managed the City of Canyon Lake and City of Lake Elsinore contracts. His promotion to sheriff’s captain came in 2022, officially making him the chief law enforcement officer for Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, and Wildomar, the county areas of Temescal Canyon, Warm Springs, Lakeland Village, El Cariso, Tenaja, and La Cresta, and the Lake Elsinore School District contract.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rayls has been married for 34 years. He and his wife have three adult daughters and are proud grandparents to three grandchildren.
