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Canyon Lake council votes to pursue creation of municipal police department, authorizes consultant work
Summary
The Canyon Lake City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to notify Riverside County of the city’s intent to establish a municipal police department and to authorize up to $200,000 for consulting work to plan a transition from the county contract by Aug. 31, 2026.
The Canyon Lake City Council on a 5-0 vote Monday directed the city manager to notify Riverside County of the city’s intent to form a municipal police department and authorized up to $200,000 for consulting and planning work toward that goal.
The council’s resolution (No. 2025-1515) directs staff to pursue a cooperative agreement with Riverside County, begin negotiations for transition logistics, and notify the county of the intent to discontinue the current law-enforcement contract with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office if the city proceeds. The council set an internal planning target of Aug. 31, 2026, as the date to complete the transition if feasible.
Why it matters: Council members said the move responds to rising contract costs and a desire for local control and more tailored law enforcement for the gated city. Mayor Pro Tem Casey Castillo, who co-chairs the city’s Public Safety ad hoc subcommittee, said the city must examine “what we are getting for the amount that we pay.” Council member Jeremy Smith said…
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