The City of Canyon Lake has officially notified the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that it will terminate its law enforcement contract and establish its own police department by August 2026. This major step marks a shift toward localized public safety services.
At the August meeting of the Canyon Lake City Council, the council will consider adopting an ordinance recognizing the formation of the police department—a key step toward joining the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program. Participation in POST will ensure the department meets the state’s professional standards for training and certification.
The council is also expected to vote on several critical items to support the department’s development, including allocating startup funds from city reserves, authorizing construction at city hall to accommodate police operations, and adding two new positions to the city’s staffing list: a police chief and a senior community officer.
The anticipated fiscal impact of the city forming its own police department would result in approximately $1 million in startup costs and an anticipated savings of at least $90,000 in year one of operation and forward, as compared to the anticipated flat cost of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s contract of $2,547,132.97 in fiscal year 26/27.
City officials say updates on the formation process will be shared regularly, with the next scheduled update at the forthcoming council meeting.
