Rancho Mirage welcomes new sheriff's lieutenant assigned to city

Mayor Weil introduced Lieutenant Christopher (Chris) Ternes during the April 3 Rancho Mirage City Council meeting and invited him to address the council and audience. Ternes described his background with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and his plans to work with the city.

Ternes told the council he has worked for the sheriff’s office for 23 years in assignments that included jails, patrol stations and the Ben Clark training center. He said he was promoted to lieutenant in 2023 and assigned to the Palm Desert station before being selected to work with Rancho Mirage on March 6, 2025. “I'm committed to ensuring the safety and well‑being of our residents and our visitors,” Ternes said.

Council members welcomed Ternes and thanked the sheriff’s office for its service. No council action or staffing decision occurred in the presentation; the introduction was a courtesy announcement and opportunity for community members to meet the lieutenant.