California
In 2017 there were nearly 120,000 full-time law enforcement employees in California; roughly 78,500 were sworn LEOs and 41,000 were civilian staff. Of sworn officers, about 48% were municipal police officers, 39% were county sheriff officers and almost 10% were with the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Follow this page to keep track of law enforcement news, the latest police jobs and police department updates in the state of California. Learn how major events in California have changed the law enforcement landscape nationwide, including the Newhall incident in 1970, the Norco shootout in 1980 and the North Hollywood bank robbery in 1997.
A suspect crashes into a motorcyclist during a pursuit, then exits his vehicle and attempts to attack the motorcyclist with a knife. Here are eight considerations from this incident
The San Diego Police Officers Association and the National Law Enforcement Foundation share lessons learned from building the nation’s first law enforcement only childcare center
SWAT
Although Det. Marcela Lopez didn’t try out to break barriers for women, neither is she shrinking from it
Tracy police deployed a BearCat Armored Recovery Vehicle and a drone to respond to a kidnapping where the victim was held at gunpoint by two individuals at a home
The request comes after the department posted a photo of suspects with their faces hidden by the yellow heads, writing that they did so to comply with a new state law
Floyd Mitchell has worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years, most recently serving as police chief in Lubbock, Texas
San Diego police Assistant Chief Scott Wahl is a 25-year veteran of the department and a lifelong San Diego County resident; he is set to take office in June
The Flock Safety camera system will be installed at 100 intersections to combat organized retail theft, motor vehicle theft, and support other critical public safety needs
The suspect fled in the stolen vehicle, then on foot, before being taken in by a K-9 team
‘Operation Safe Cities’ will train police detectives to prepare federal cases against gun crime suspects; leaders believe that prosecuting suspects on federal charges will allow for harsher penalties
Sgt. Jay Balgemino saw the boy collapse only half a mile away from the finish and helped him achieve his goal
The department cited the use of ALPRs and a crackdown on sideshow activities as reasons for the spike
A California state law that went into effect on Jan. 1 restricts when law enforcement agencies can post mug shots online
The Tactical Training Academy’s assessment stated that Yuba Community College’s current safety and security system is flawed and in need of an “urgent revamp” due to a staff shortage, gaps in coverage and potential liabilities
The driver climbed out of the car and swam farther offshore before being pulled from the water by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office boat crew; two dogs were rescued from the back seat
Burglary
“They tend to not carry guns. They don’t want to get gun charges. They sometimes carry jamming devices to disable home security systems.”
A bee removal expert transferred the queen bee to a portable hive and gently vacuumed the rest of the workers, leaving the helicopter bee-free
The two officers who were seated in the patrol vehicle at the time of the crash and wearing their seat belts were transported to hospital
“[Call of Duty’s] gameplan features a truly impressive collection of authentic gear and products similar to what we offer customers so they can live our mantra of ‘Always Be Ready,’” said 5.11 Tactical CMO Debra Radcliff
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department take delivery of Bell 412EPX helicopters for emergency response assistance
SWAT
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion, but it happened during a training with the Orange County sheriff’s bomb squad
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office deputies deployed TASERs and less lethal projectile launchers several times before the shooting occurred
San Bernardino County deputies confronted the subject after 911 callers reported he was assaulting family members and damaging property with the tool
“People have felt easier to approach us because we’re very readily accessible to them,” San Luis Obispo Police Department Community Service Officer Samantha Corsaw said
The car caught fire after the 14-year-old driver crashed into a light pole while evading a traffic stop; a third teenager in the back seat was killed in the fire
The 1,200 applications came after the officers in the department received a 13% raise with a new four-year contract signed in 2023
Animals
A CHP officer assists some good Samaritans with the rescue of 10 adorable puppies abandoned during a ferocious storm
The V-Armed training has been in use at the department since 2022, and trains officers in situations surrounding de-escalation, mental health and use of force
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey described “constant, never-ending safety failures” on the set of “Rust” and an “astonishing lack of diligence” with gun safety
Mayor London Breed, who placed the measures on the ballot, celebrated early success after Propositions E and F had commanding leads in partial returns from March 5 voting
Investigators believe a 16-year-old suspect used an electronic device to create cloned ignition keys
Police Recruitment
The spike follows the CHP 1000 recruitment campaign and the release of the recruitment web series “Cadets,” which followed recruits as they trained to become CHP officers
Nurses can travel freely — could a similar licensing approach help police personnel shortages?
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