Canyon Lake names Riverside County captain its first police chief

Canyon Lake — City Manager Aaron Brown on Tuesday introduced James “Jim” Rails as the city’s first police chief after Rails’ nearly 30-year career with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. “The choice of police chief will probably be one of the most important decisions of my career,” Brown said, adding that he sought a leader who could “build a police department but also build a legacy.”

Why it matters: The announcement formalizes a step in Canyon Lake’s long-running move toward local control of policing. The council and city manager said a locally controlled department will allow the city to set recruiting priorities, expand volunteer and reserve programs and shape day-to-day policing to the community’s expectations.

Brown told the council he had discussed retirement timelines with Rails and that Rails’ retirement from the sheriff’s office aligned with the city’s hiring schedule. “I joke that I knew before Jim knew because there was no doubt in my mind he was the right chief for this city,” Brown said. Rails spoke to the council about his experience in corrections, patrol, special enforcement, lake patrol and investigations and said he had spent more than 13 years stationed at the local station; for the past five and a half years he had served as the city’s chief law enforcement officer under the sheriff’s office. “I know exactly what you’re looking for,” Rails said. “You want officers out there in the community, a robust volunteer program, a reserve program, and you want your officers out there in the community, talking to all your constituents.”

Council members praised Rails’ community engagement and experience. Council member Jeremy Smith said Rails “answered every single question” and “offered a relationship with our residents.” Council member Welty and others said Rails was already well known in neighboring jurisdictions and that his local relationships would smooth the transition. One council member noted the new chief had signed a five‑year contract, a detail Rails referenced during his remarks.

No formal council vote to appoint Rails was recorded in the meeting transcript; the city manager presented him publicly and the council offered congratulatory remarks. Brown and Rails described recruitment and staffing goals, including bringing experienced investigators and sergeants to the new department under a different retirement system that the city manager said would help recruit candidates.

The city did not present a written appointment document during the meeting. Council members and community organizations offered informal endorsements from the dais; the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association and other speakers welcomed the announcement and said they expect continued collaboration between police and other public safety agencies.

The city manager and Rails said implementation steps — staffing, reserve and volunteer recruitment, and station operations — are next. Officials repeatedly emphasized that Rails already has relationships with local public safety leaders and a working familiarity with Canyon Lake’s community expectations.

For more: The city manager said he and Rails will continue transition discussions; residents with questions were invited to city events the manager and council announced later in the meeting.