Since incorporation in 1977, law enforcement services in the City have been provided through a contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.Rancho Cucamongacontinues to be one of Southern California's most family-oriented, safe, and prosperous cities.
The low crime rate that the City continues to enjoy, is a direct result of not only the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the Police Department, but the positive interaction and participation by the community in crime prevention activities. These efforts have resulted in not only one of the safest cities to live in, but alsoa place where the citizens enjoy the security of a City and Police Department that are truly dedicated to working together to provide asafe and family oriented environment.
Public safety is the City's highest priority. As the community continues to grow, the challenge will be to continue addressing these increased needs that affect the "quality of life"in Rancho Cucamonga and define our community as a safe one.
Page Sections
Police Services
Traffic Related Issues
The primary function of the Traffic Division is to facilitate the safe and effective movement of traffic through the City of Rancho Cucamonga. The Traffic Division enforces California Vehicle Codes, investigates traffic collisions, directs traffic when needed, and develops driver awareness of traffic laws and the causes of traffic collisions.
Abandoned Vehicles
The City of Rancho Cucamonga enacted Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code 10.44.130; which states that no person shall park, leave standing, or store a vehicle upon any publicly maintained street for more than 72 continuous hours. A vehicle will be considered in violation of this section if it has not been moved more than 2/10th's of one mile or one thousand fifty six feet within 72 hours.
If an officer receives areport ofan abandoned vehicle or while patrolling suspects a vehicle is abandoned or inoperable the vehiclemay be tagged with a 72 hour warning notice. If the vehicle has not been moved after 72 hours the vehicle can be towed as a violation of California Vehicle Code 22651(k). The vehicle can be towed without a warning tag being issued if there is evidence the vehicle has been parked in the same location for more than 72 hours, or if an officer marks tires, checks vehicle mileage, etc.
Abandoned vehicles can behazardous and unsightlyif they are leaking fluids, have broken windows, or accumulate cobwebs and debris and invite pests, they may be stolen vehicles that have been dumped by a vehicle thief after use, the owner may have moved and left the vehicle behind, orit maybe a vehicle that no longer runs and is being stored on the street by owner.
Common signs that a vehicle may be abandoned or a "dumped" stolen vehicle are:
- a build up of dirt on or under the vehicle
- trash, plant growth, debris, or a build up of cobwebs under the vehicle
- the vehicle is parked illegally or crooked
- the vehicle has a flat tire, collision damage severe enough that the vehicle can't be driven, orvehicle parts missing
If you would like to report an abandoned vehicle or suspected stolen and "dumped" vehicle, please call our non-emergency dispatch number at (909) 941-1488.
If your vehicle has been tagged with a warning notice and it is not abandoned, simply move it the required distance within 72 hours of the warning notice to prevent further action.
Traffic Collisions
Traffic collisions are a civil matter unless they are associated with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if one of the involved parties leaves the scene of the accident without exchanging the information required by law; whether or not injuries are involved.
As a courtesy and to promote public safety, the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department may assist the public by taking traffic collision reports for property damage only, non-injury, and minor injury traffic collisions (subject to availability due to other priority or emergency calls for service). They may also help parties involved in a traffic collision to exchange the proper information required by law when neither party desires a collision report. The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department will take a report and conduct an investigation for all collisions involving major injuryordeath. Officers will make reports based on driver and witness statements, vehicle damage, tire skid evidence, and vehicle location and debris taken at the scene of the collision. Since traffic collision reports are a civil matter, the findings of Officers are not final determination of fault and they do not determine how insurance claims are paid or not paid, insurance companies will make final determinations on those matters.
Traffic Collisionscannotbe investigated properly if they are not reported while both parties are still at the location where the incident occurred along with the involved vehicles. This is not to say that parties involved in traffic collisions cannot move their vehicles out of the roadway once it is determined that no one has been injured. However; in order to investigate traffic collisions officers must be able to speak to any involved drivers, witnesses, see involved vehicles, check for damage, and investigate the scene for debris, measurements, tire skid, or other conditions that may have caused or contributed to a collision such as weather, visibility, construction, malfunctioning traffic signals, etc. For this reason collisions that are not reported at the time they occur will not be investigated by an Officer.If you or your insurance company wishes to obtain a police report for a collision after the incident occurred and parties left the scene after exchanging information, the driver of the vehicle can come to the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station during regular business hours and obtain a "late traffic collision report". This report is filled out by one of the parties involved in the collision and is simply a statement of the circ*mstances, location, vehicle damage, and other facts regarding the collision. The report is issued anumber by Rancho Cucamonga Police Department and can be requested by insurance companies involved in the civil actions. Late Traffic Collision reports will not contain measurements, fault recommendations, and Officers will not follow-up or verify any statements made on the report or contact the other driver.
Hit and Run Collisions that occurred in the City of Rancho Cucamonga and are discovered and reported after the vehicle has been moved from the scene, will still be taken after the fact because they are a criminal matter and will be taken as a criminal report. The involved vehicle needs to be present with the person reporting the hit and run collision so that the responding Officer can examine vehicle damage and look for evidence on the vehicle such as paint transfer from the suspect vehicle.
Officers can also assist persons involved in traffic collisions in the City of Rancho Cucamonga that do not wish to have a traffic collision report taken but want assistance in exchanging proper information with each other. Officers can provide "Information Exchange" cards which outline the information required by law to exchange. Officers can verify both driver's have a valid driver's license, current vehicle registration, and proof of insurance and that information can be documented in a "call for service" report which is available immediately by involved parties at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station.
Traffic collision reports require at least 10-15 business days before they are available at the Rancho Cucamonga Station, sometimes longer if injuries were involved. For more information on obtaining a copy of your report see our Services and Fees section.
Traffic Concerns
Ongoing traffic concerns and issues can be brought to the attention of our Traffic Division by calling (909) 477-2800. Some examples of ongoing traffic concerns are; a high volume of vehicles running red lights, stop signs, speeding in residential areas, vehicles parking in areas designated only for loading and unloadingnear schools, vehicles using a public roadway for speed contests (or races), etc.
If you have a problem with one specific vehicle or person such as a neighbor, parking issue, etc., please contact our non-emergency dispatch at (909) 941-1488 at the time the violation or traffic problem is occurring so that an Officer/Deputy can respond. Rancho Cucamonga Police Officers cannot issue citations or speak to drivers about violations based on hearsay or for violations the Officer did not witness themselves.
Also, due to staffing and the need to respond to in-progress or possible injury or emergency calls for service; the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department normally is not able to "post an Officer" at a certain location to wait for a violation that one person has reported as occurring.
Ongoing traffic concerns are handled on a case by case basis, please contact our Traffic Division at (909) 477-2800 if an ongoing traffic problemis occurring in the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
Traffic Citation and Moving Violations
Traffic Citations are issued by Deputies, Officers, and Reserve Officers in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. To contest a traffic citation you received you must appear in court on the date listed on your citation. Please bring any documentation in support of your reason for disputing the citation such as photographs or other documents.
If you received a citation for a correctable offense you can have your citation signed-off prior to your court appearance at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station Monday - Thursday from 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM. Corrected citations must be submitted to the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse along with any applicable fees for the citation to be cleared.
Patrol Division
Information
The Patrol Division is responsible for delivering basic law enforcement services within the City of Rancho Cucamonga, promoting public safety and preserving public peace. The bulk of the station personnel are assigned to this division and they are deployed according to current crimetrends. Some of the Patrol Division's responsibilities include:
- The enforcement of Federal, State, County, and City codes and ordinances
- The identification and apprehension of law violators.
- The investigation of missing persons, runaway juveniles, found or unidentified children
- The recovery of stolen property and its return to the rightful owner.
- The prevention and suppression of crime through pro-active patrol of the city, seeking out potential violators and investigating suspicious activity.
- Supplemental traffic enforcement andtraffic collisioninvestigation.
- Response to non-criminal calls for service that adversely affect the public safety and the quality of life for the city's citizens.
Sworn Employees
In order to become a Rancho Cucamonga Police Officer, you need to apply and go through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy. The City of Rancho Cucamonga contracts with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for their law enforcement agents, and as such, do not have a City owned Police Department. However, the County Sheriff’s Department is always looking for good men and women who want a career in the criminal justice field as deputies, criminal analysts, forensic scientists, and numerous other career opportunities with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
For more information on the Sheriff’s Academy, you can check out the web site from the Sheriff's Department atwww.sheriffsjobs.com.
General Employee
The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department is comprised of San Bernardino County Sheriff Department employees. If you are looking for employment with the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department you will need to go through the process of applying through the San Bernardino County. You can visit their web site atwww.sbcounty.gov/main/working.asp
Victoria Gardens Substation
Information
The Rancho Cucamonga PoliceDepartment is pleased to be a part of the neighborhood at one of the most popular venues in Rancho Cucamonga: the Victoria Gardens Shopping Center. The sub-station is located on Kew Avenue across from the east parking structure. It is a privilege to be chosen to serve in this very unique assignment. Like the traditional beat officer, the Victoria Gardens Police Team members get to know their “beat” very well. Patrolling in police cars, Gem Cars, Segways, bicycles, or on foot;the Victoria Gardens Police Team provides police services to the stores, restaurants, a variety of businesses, and their guests.
This Victoria Gardens Retail Theft Team provides information and services to the Victoria Gardens Shopping Center, and all retail businesses along Foothill Blvd between Etiwanda Ave and Haven.
Office Phone Number:(909) 477 - 2828
Office Fax:(909) 803 - 2120
7743 Kew Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga,CA91739
United States
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Please be advised there are no deputies in the station from 8 a.m to 4pm as they are all out on patrol.
Police Response to False Alarms
The City of Rancho Cucamonga has established Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code 8.26 to defray costs incurred in providing law enforcement services in response to repeated false alarms. A "false alarm" is considered an activated alarm or alarm signal which is responded to within the City of Rancho Cucamonga by Police Officers, but for which no emergency situation exists. Those alarms activated by extraordinary meteorological, atmospheric, or other conditions as determined by the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department shall not be considered false alarms for this purpose.
On each third and subsequent false alarm response to a particular location during the same fiscal year, a service charge shall be paid to the City of Rancho Cucamonga based on the following fee schedule:
| Third False Alarm | $ 75.00 |
| Fourth False Alarm | $100.00 |
| Fifth False Alarm | $125.00 |
| Sixth False Alarm | $150.00 |
| Subsequent False Alarms | $150.00 |
Facts You Should Know About False Alarms
- About 65% of false alarms are caused by human error such as; forgetting to turn off the system, entering through the wrong door, accidentally pushing the panic button, etc.
- In one month alone, 406 of 409 alarm calls in Rancho Cucamonga were "false alarms".
- False alarms increase unnecessary safety risks to police officers, motorists, and other citizens as officers try to respond quickly to catch burglaries in progress.
- Valuable police resources are wasted responding to non-existent emergencies, and the safety of other citizens who need police response could be jeopardized when police units are made unavailable by false alarms.
Obtain Your Property or Evidence
For all requests to obtain firearms call the Property and Evidence Division to determine if the firearm is available for release. The Property and Evidence Division must be contacted before submitting the Department of Justice paperwork. Requests are on a case-by-base basis, and requesters must be given options based on their particular situation. All firearms requesting to be released must be registered to the individual requesting the release. Once available a request must be processed through the Department of Justice by submitting a Law Enforcement Gun Release Applicationand Firearm Ownership Report.
All individuals requesting items held in the Property and Evidence Division must make an appointment regardless of whether a court order or Department of Justice Firearms release has been obtained.
Please contact the Property/Evidence Division at (909) 477-2800 ext. 2802, or by email at rcpdevidence@cityofrc.us for further information and be prepared to provide the report or case number associated with your property, your name, and telephone number.
Request Extra Patrol or Vacation Check
Extra Patrol or Vacation Check requests for response no longer than 20 minutes from the time you are calling can be made through our non-emergency dispatch number at (909) 941-1488, subject to Officer availability due to emergency and priority calls.
If you would like to request Extra Patrol or a Vacation Check for a time period up to or including 30 days in the future, please fill out an Extra Patrol Request Form. Extra Patrol Requests must be submitted in-person at the Rancho Cucamonga Station at least one week prior to the date requested. Please bring a photo identification, and if you are the owner of the location the request is for, bring a current utility bill showing your name and the address on the request.
There is a 30 day time limit on all extra patrol requests, unless approved by a supervisor.
Extra Patrol Form
Police Response to Animal Issues
Vicious Dogs or Other Dangerous Animals
Problems with vicious dogs or other dangerous animals posing an immediate risk of injury to the public can be reported by calling 911.
Dog or Other Animal Bites
If a person or other animal has been bitten by a dog or other animal, contact the Rancho Cucamonga Police DepartmentDispatch at (909) 941-1488. We will respond to the location,call for medical attention(if none has arrived yet), and notifyAnimal Care & Services Departmentto respond.
Barking Dogs
Barking dogs creating a noise nuisance can be reported to Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care & Services Department. Additional information regarding barking dogs is available by clicking here.
Dead or Injured Animals
To report dead animals on roadways or public property contact Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care & Services Department.
Obtain a Copy of a Police Report
Reports are available through our Records Division Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. There is a fee of .25 cents per page for the public; and a fee of $5.00 per report for attorneys and insurance companies. Reports take at least 10-15 business days to become available, sometimes longer for in depth investigations or major traffic collisions.
If you are a suspect and want a copy of your report, you must obtain the report through your attorney.
Prior tocoming to the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station to obtain a copy of your report, you may want to call (909) 477-2800 and ask for Records to see if your report is complete and available for release.
You can download, print, and fill outthe Report Request Formand bring it to the Rancho Cucamonga Police Stationonce your report is available. Photo identification is required.
RCPD Police Report Request Form
Narcotics, Arson and Sex Registrants
Narcotics, Arson, and Sex Registration is done by appointment only, Monday -Friday from the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Please bring a photo identification and necessary paperwork to your appointment.
Contact (909) 477-2800 for more information.
Report a Crime or Incident
If you need to report a crime for any reason, DO NOT EMAIL.Instead, please call our business office during businesshours at 909-477-2800, or dispatch for after hours at 909-941-1488.
To make a police report for a criminal matter, lost property, found property, missing person, or to report a non-injury traffic collision where BOTH parties are still at the location where the collision occurred; contact our non-emergency dispatch telephone number at (909) 941-1488 and you will be contacted at your location in the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
Reports can also be made at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station. During business hours, someone may be available at the Station to take your report. However; if no "desk" officer is on duty, if he or she is busy assisting someone else, or if it is after normal business hours, an Officer on patrol will need to respond to the Station in order to assist you. Wait times for reports, both in the field and at the Station, may vary based on the number of emergency and other calls officers are handling, the number of personnel on duty, and the number of report requests received prior to yours.
If you need to report a crime where evidence may be present at the scene such as a residential or vehicle burglary an Officer will need to respond to the location where the crime occurred in order to fully investigate the crime. If you are reporting an identity theft or other type of financial crime documentation must be provided before a report can be taken.
If you need to report a non-injury traffic collision that occurred in the past, or an exchange of information was done and the other driver is no longer present, you must make the report in person at the Rancho Cucamonga Station during normal business hours Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., excluding holidays.
Tow Hearings
Tow Hearings or "post-storage hearings" for vehicles that have been towed and either stored or impounded by the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department, are held each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. excluding holidays.
For information about tow hearings and what qualifies as a valid reason for releasing a vehicle prior to the 30 days required for impound, read our tow hearing informational guide.
Repossession Receipts
Receipts for repossession of vehicles can be obtained at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. There will be a charge of $15 for each repossession receipt.
Vehicle Releases
Vehicle releases can obtained at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. for a fee of $190.
Only the registered owner of the vehicle can obtain a release. A valid driver's license and current vehicle registration is required for release of the vehicle. If the vehicle is unable to be currently registered due to a smog check or other reason for the registration to be incomplete, a Temporary Operating Permit or One Day Moving Permit must be obtained from the DMV.
We Tip Program
The WeTip Anonymous Crime Hotline has been operational for 38 years. WeTip operators never ask or know the identity of the caller. WeTip has no taping, tracing, caller ID, or call logs to identify callers.
View the WeTip flyer to know how the program works.
To report a tip or have information about a case call 1 (800) 78-CRIME (or 1 (800) 782-7463), 1 (800) 47-DRUGS (or 1 (800) 473-7847), 1 (800) 47-ARSON (or 1 (800) 472-7766), or 1 (800) US-FRAUD (or 1 (800) 873-7283), or visit the WeTip website for more information or to submit a tip on-line.
Restraining Order
Restraining orders are issued through the courts, not through the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department. To file a restraining order please contact theSan BernardinoCourts. For more information on restraining orders visit theCalifornia Courts Self-Help Center website.
Crime Prevention
The RCPD Crime Prevention Unit assists thecitizens of Rancho Cucamongawith services, presentations, and programs designed and tailored for neighborhood and community programs, individuals, schools, businesses, and parents and children.
Current Programs Include:
- School Tours and Meet a Deputy Events
- Business Security Surveys
- Robbery PreventionTraining and Tips for Businesses and Employees
- Business Watch Program
- Violence in the Workplace Including Criminal Intent, Customer or Client Violence, Co-Worker, and Personal Relationship types
- Identity Theft in the Workplace
- Dating and Relationship Violence
- Child Safety Seat Inspections & Installations
- Child Fingerprinting (by appointment)
- Child Abduction Prevention
- Stranger Awareness
Most presentations and tours require 3-4 weeks advance notice for scheduling and planning purposes.
Please contact our Crime Prevention Unit at (909) 477-2890 for information on any of the programs we offer.
Additional resources for crime prevention and awareness can be located at the following websites:
Car Seat Installation
9/10 car seats are installed incorrectly. If you would like to make an appointment with our certified National Child Passenger Safety technicians, please call 1-909-477-2800.
For more information on keeping your child safe while on the road, visit NHTSA.gov
More Information
Offender Watch
San Bernardino County's law enforcement utilizes OffenderWatch® to manage and monitor the whereabouts, conduct and compliance status of the registered offenders in San Bernardino County. OffenderWatch® provides the most accurate and timely information available and now this information is available to you!
Records Request
If you are an employer seeking a background check or criminal history please contact our records division.
Ride Along Program
Citizens over the age of 18 interested in "riding along" with one of our Officers can fill out the Ride-Along Application form. If you pass the preliminary background screening process, you will be notified within two weeks to schedule a time and date for your ride-along.
