During the April 9 meeting of the Canyon Lake City Council, the council will consider a major step toward reshaping the city’s approach to law enforcement.
The Public Safety Ad Hoc Committee is expected to recommend that the city submit a formal notice to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) of its intent to start a municipal police department on or about August 31, 2026.
This recommendation follows a feasibility analysis conducted by Garrison Public Strategies (“GPS”), which explored the potential establishment of a standalone city police department. Council members have reviewed the analysis along with supplemental information obtained from RSO.
During the meeting, the council will be discussing the possible establishment of a city police department, and will take one of the following actions:
- Direct the city manager to notify the County of Riverside of the city’s desire to enter into a Cooperative Agreement between the city and the county for police protection and all associated services for the period covering July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
- Adopt Resolution 2025-15, finding that it would be in the public interest to establish a municipal police department, owned and operated by the City of Canyon Lake; directing the city manager to submit a request to the County of Riverside to enter into a Cooperative Agreement between the city and the county for police protection and associated services for the period covering July 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, and to notify the county of the city’s intent to start a police department and to discontinue thecCity’s practice of contracting with the county for these services effective August 31, 2026; authorizing and directing the city manager to negotiate and enter into a professional consulting agreement with an individual or firm who will be responsible for advising and assisting the city manager in the establishment of a municipal police department, not to exceed the sum of $200,000; and authorizing the city manager to take other such actions as may be necessary to establish a police department by August 31, 2026.
Because this recommendation is specifically coming from the Public Safety Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of Mayor Pro Tem Kasey Castillo and Councilman Jeremy Smith, a presentation will be completed by them to provide their fact-finding and philosophy for their recommendation.
While this is a preliminary estimate, the anticipated fiscal impact of the city starting its own police department would result in approximately $1 million in startup costs and anticipated savings of at least $90,000 in year one of operation and forward as compared to the anticipated flat cost of the RSO contract of $2,547,132.97 in fiscal year 26/27.
The April 9 meeting will mark a pivotal moment for Canyon Lake as the council weighs the benefits, challenges, and long-term impact of establishing a local police force. Residents are encouraged to attend and provide input during the public comment portion of the meeting.
The day before the council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Castillo and Councilman Smith will be holding an open discussion with residents who have questions or concerns about the city starting its own police department. All residents are invited to join the conversation on Tuesday, April 8, at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
“I encourage everyone available to attend our open discussion on Tuesday, April 8, at 5 p.m. and our city council meeting the following day,” Councilman Smith said. “This will be an important decision that requires as much input as we possibly can get from our community members.
