INLAND EMPIRE PDs

[hankido2000]

As many of you know, I'll be a pre-service recruit starting Rio Hondo next month. I want to keep all of my options open. I'm looking for some insight into various PDs in the IE. I prefer working in Los Angeles County (LA County Police or Redondo Beach), but I'd be happy working for any agency in California.

What are you thoughts on Ontario and Pomona PDs? I did a ride along with Ontario back in 1999 while I was on vacation visiting from the Mid-West and thought they were a good department.

[Five-0fromSoCal]

Pomona PD is a good dept. Has action and some special units to change it up. Don't know much about Ontario. Fontana PD is supposed to be a good dept. They are also growing alot.

[hankido2000]

I just want to thank everyone for their replies; I appreciate the information.

[hankido2000]

A lot of hills to run up there. I was in class 124.

I had hoped that the hills would erode a bit, but I don't think that has happened. I am definitely not looking forwarded to them, but I've been getting ready for them. I have to have a positive attitude.

PS No offense about the hills eroding over time...:D

[SgtCHP]

Ontario is a good agency. Stays busy and has an increasing crime problem.

Pomona is like working in South Central L.A. Lots of gang issues and a heavy homicide rate.

Fontana, Rialto and Rancho Cucamonga are growing quickly. The old days vision of the criminal element residing in those areas is waning. Rialto and Fontana agencies are becoming more professional and recognized as good agencies to work with and for. Rancho Cucamonga is a contract city through the SBSD.

Upland is relatively laid back and slower than other West End areas. It is a bedroom community with increasing low income residents moving in. A lot of domestic issues.

Chino is growning, but still carries the 'cowboy' and 'cowtown' image. The city is expanding in area and population.

Montclair is a small town and is pretty much border locked. The PD is made up of good people but hampered by the tax base. They are getting a new police building in the northwest part of the city.

San Bernardino is a hell hole to work. High crime, low morale.

Colton is another landlocked city. Small and inconspicuous. I do not know much about the agency.

[hankido2000]

Ontario is a good agency. Stays busy and has an increasing crime problem.

Pomona is like working in South Central L.A. Lots of gang issues and a heavy homicide rate.

Fontana, Rialto and Rancho Cucamonga are growing quickly. The old days vision of the criminal element residing in those areas is waning. Rialto and Fontana agencies are becoming more professional and recognized as good agencies to work with and for. Rancho Cucamonga is a contract city through the SBSD.

Upland is relatively laid back and slower than other West End areas. It is a bedroom community with increasing low income residents moving in. A lot of domestic issues.

Chino is growning, but still carries the 'cowboy' and 'cowtown' image. The city is expanding in area and population.

Montclair is a small town and is pretty much border locked. The PD is made up of good people but hampered by the tax base. They are getting a new police building in the northwest part of the city.

San Bernardino is a hell hole to work. High crime, low morale.

Colton is another landlocked city. Small and inconspicuous. I do not know much about the agency.

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my thread. I really appreciate it

[ask80]

i hear nothing but good stuff about fontana

[nobody33]

Ontario isn't a bad agency, but they fallen apart in terms of pay. In 99 the were tops. Now they are probably the lowest. I head good things about Fontana, and RSO. Stay away from SBPD despite the high pay. I've heard better things about RPD, but in the past they had serious issues.

[hankido2000]

Ontario isn't a bad agency, but they fallen apart in terms of pay. In 99 the were tops. Now they are probably the lowest.

I recently noticed they built a pretty massive station compared to their old one. A pretty big upgrade.

[Kravist405]

Ontario Pd is hiring. Next test date for written/PAT is Saturday, Oct 6th.

[1oldsarge]

If you check the CA. POST website, they list agencies who are hiring. It'll save you a lot of time.
www.post.ca.gov/

[the batman]

I second the recommendation for Fontana or Ontario in the area

[natejpg]

San Bernardino is a hell hole to work. High crime, low morale.


Why is morale low and why is it a hell hole? I have a personality where I like to be busy so the high crime aspect seems to be possibly a good thing.

[bigwillie909]

San Bernardino is the bonified arm-pit of the Inland Empire. Totally different than most of its surrounding areas, ie Redlands, Yucaipa, Fontana. You will be busy in SB, but from what I know, the city doesnt support the PD, pay is good though, however general population will have ZERO respect for any LEO. A lot of gangs have relocated to the city from LA, so if youre ok with and aware of that then you should be fine. SB is a pretty big city and has a couple nice areas, but more bad ones. Rodney King lives there now and gets arrested on a regular basis. Im not the expert analyst on the city from a LEO stand point, but I am an expert on the Inland Empire. It would definately be a good dept if you want to stay busy and do some police work. I agree with you on not wanting to work in a sleeper city. noticed youre from Utah, and I hate to make assumptions so please frogive me and know this is not meant in malice, but Im assuming youve been to Redlands and have seen the area surrounding the LDS Temple. San Bernardino is a TOTALLY different city, I could see working there, but would never ever live there. If you have any more questions on the geography or make-up of the IE, feel free to PM me. Sorry I cant help you with any specific SBPD info.

[natejpg]

San Bernardino is the bonified arm-pit of the Inland Empire. Totally different than most of its surrounding areas, ie Redlands, Yucaipa, Fontana. You will be busy in SB, but from what I know, the city doesnt support the PD, pay is good though, however general population will have ZERO respect for any LEO. A lot of gangs have relocated to the city from LA, so if youre ok with and aware of that then you should be fine. SB is a pretty big city and has a couple nice areas, but more bad ones. Rodney King lives there now and gets arrested on a regular basis. Im not the expert analyst on the city from a LEO stand point, but I am an expert on the Inland Empire. It would definately be a good dept if you want to stay busy and do some police work. I agree with you on not wanting to work in a sleeper city. noticed youre from Utah, and I hate to make assumptions so please frogive me and know this is not meant in malice, but Im assuming youve been to Redlands and have seen the area surrounding the LDS Temple. San Bernardino is a TOTALLY different city, I could see working there, but would never ever live there. If you have any more questions on the geography or make-up of the IE, feel free to PM me. Sorry I cant help you with any specific SBPD info.

No forgiving needed. I actually haven't seen the area around the temple since it's been built but i remember it used to be groves of trees. I have family that has room for me in redlands fairly nice area, so thats where i'd live. I know it would be tough being a white cop in san bernardino not knowing spanish. I understand people hate cops until there dying and need the cop to save their live. I heard rodney king turned up dead after a drug deal gone bad?? Not true?

[bigwillie909]

No forgiving needed. I actually haven't seen the area around the temple since it's been built but i remember it used to be groves of trees. I have family that has room for me in redlands fairly nice area, so thats where i'd live. I know it would be tough being a white cop in san bernardino not knowing spanish. I understand people hate cops until there dying and need the cop to save their live. I heard rodney king turned up dead after a drug deal gone bad?? Not true?

No he's alive. He was just arrested, again, a couple of weeks ago. Redlands is very nice, still full of Orange Groves, very nice place to live and raise a family. Redlands PD may be worth looking onto as well. SB is probably 65% African American, 30% Hispanic and 5% white. Don't quote me on those #'s, thats purely by my estimates. Spanish will be a good thing anywhere in So. California. Id suggest learning it at least conversationally, which is what I consider myself capable of. Im not bilengual in any sense, but I have the basics down.

[nobody33]

Why is morale low and why is it a hell hole? I have a personality where I like to be busy so the high crime aspect seems to be possibly a good thing.

The culture of the department, and poor leadership makes not only the city a hell hole, but the department as well. Do a search, theres been a few good threads on it in the past.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I second the recommendation for Fontana or Ontario in the area
Fontucky :D

EDJ

[IE Copper]

Ill clear few thing up about SBPD for yall:

Moral is definately not low right now. A few years ago there were some minor problems, but everything is golden now.

The pay is on par with most OC agencies, yet most of us live in East Highlands or Redlands, and bought our houses for alot less then those who reside in OC.

Crime rates are out the roof and most patrol guys dont handle too many paper calls, there are CSOs for that. A typical night will give you 10-20 alert tones, and lots of fun to be had. SBPD has a few officers with over 10 OISs and tons of officers with over 5. Most of the rookies ge into an OIS within the first few years ( im not saying this as a good thing, but rather a way to judge the intense police work done here).

The population breakdown given by BigWillie is a bit off. My best guess would be 50% hispanic 30% black 20% white, asian, and others.

A new guy working at SBPD will learn more in one year than some guys will learn in a career at other agencies.

There is nothing more exciting than having two pursuits going at once, 40k (county bird) and Air 1 (city bird) both assigned to a pursuit, a Shots fired call at the Velarro, the Met guys in a foot pursuit, and you trying to grab a burger from jack in the box all at once :)......oh yeah and dont forget the 415 at the Orange Show that will have to hold, and 30 other calls pending.

Another good thing about SBPD is the endless opportunities there are for different assignments. You can do just about anything there.

[bigwillie909]

Well there it is! Good info IE!

[TheInlandEmpire]

Ill clear few thing up about SBPD for yall:

Moral is definately not low right now. A few years ago there were some minor problems, but everything is golden now.

The pay is on par with most OC agencies, yet most of us live in East Highlands or Redlands, and bought our houses for alot less then those who reside in OC.

Crime rates are out the roof and most patrol guys dont handle too many paper calls, there are CSOs for that. A typical night will give you 10-20 alert tones, and lots of fun to be had. SBPD has a few officers with over 10 OISs and tons of officers with over 5. Most of the rookies ge into an OIS within the first few years ( im not saying this as a good thing, but rather a way to judge the intense police work done here).

The population breakdown given by BigWillie is a bit off. My best guess would be 50% hispanic 30% black 20% white, asian, and others.

A new guy working at SBPD will learn more in one year than some guys will learn in a career at other agencies.

There is nothing more exciting than having two pursuits going at once, 40k (county bird) and Air 1 (city bird) both assigned to a pursuit, a Shots fired call at the Velarro, the Met guys in a foot pursuit, and you trying to grab a burger from jack in the box all at once :)......oh yeah and dont forget the 415 at the Orange Show that will have to hold, and 30 other calls pending.

Another good thing about SBPD is the endless opportunities there are for different assignments. You can do just about anything there.

Say hello to my good friend Det. Sully....:D

[natejpg]

Ill clear few thing up about SBPD for yall:

Crime rates are out the roof and most patrol guys dont handle too many paper calls, there are CSOs for that. A typical night will give you 10-20 alert tones, and lots of fun to be had. SBPD has a few officers with over 10 OISs and tons of officers with over 5. Most of the rookies ge into an OIS within the first few years ( im not saying this as a good thing, but rather a way to judge the intense police work done here).

There is nothing more exciting than having two pursuits going at once, 40k (county bird) and Air 1 (city bird) both assigned to a pursuit, a Shots fired call at the Velarro, the Met guys in a foot pursuit, and you trying to grab a burger from jack in the box all at once :)......oh yeah and dont forget the 415 at the Orange Show that will have to hold, and 30 other calls pending.

Another good thing about SBPD is the endless opportunities there are for different assignments. You can do just about anything there.

Sorry I understand a lot of acronyms and jargon but clear some things up for a utahn who doesn't know what all of them mean. What's a CSO, OIS, and a 415? Isn't it a burglary?? Also is met a metro unit and if so how does that work? How is the PAT given and what is it laid out like? Also what were the minor issues that had morale down?

[IMachU]

CSO = Community Services Officer (civilian report taker)

OIS = Officer Involved Shooting

415 = Penal Code section 415, disturbing the peace

The rest of the answers have to come from a Berdoo guy.

[reils49]

Why would you want to work in the IE?

[Royd5150]

Why would you want to work in the IE?

Why would you want to work for the CHP of all agencies? Oh my what if you get assigned to a CHP office in the IE? :eek: Come on now different places for different folks. What might not suit you works for them.

[FPD GUY]

Why would you want to work in the IE?

Why would you want to work anywhere else? Once you get hired by LAPD and get disciplined for an unauthorized use of force when a suspect is violently attacking you, or your post pursuit activities are all on the channel 11 news, I'll send you an application for the good ol' IE. None of our pursuits make the news and we are still allowed and encouraged to do our job. I used to work for a large agency where you are just a number and it kind of sucks unless you just want to put your feet up and collwct a paycheck. Moral to the story: you are applying to a few agencies that are known to have disgruntled employees because the direction their once great dept has gone. No disrespect towards you LAPD guys, just giving another perspective.

[reils49]

I meant no disrespect to IE law enforcement officers or agencies. A Marine Corps mentor of mine is a cop in the IE, and I respect the hell out of that man... I just dont like the IE much. Maybe Im a little biased (much of my time spent in the IE has been in and around the Morongo basin and beautiful 29 Palms:), and that'll ****** you off). I know a bunch of people who love the IE. A good friend of mine is attached at the hip to his hometown of Hemet. But its just not my cup of tea, the 115 degree heat and blowing dust storms on the freeway remind me too much of Iraq.

[bigwillie909]

IE also icleudes, ALta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Chino Hills, East Highland, Yucaipa and quite a few other nice places. If youre going to develop an opinion of the IE soley based on the Morongo Reservation and Hemet, youre cheating yourself. In fact, theyre not even in the IE.

[reils49]

Yeah, Hemet is definately IE. They have a huge sign in downtown Hemet that says so. My point here though was not to start an argument, just make a comment. You guys can enjoy the inland empire. Thats great. I'll stick with east county SD for now.

[reils49]

http://inlandempireliving.com/

Check out the map....Hemet?

[reils49]

Although, on a more serious note... a buddy of mine works for Palm Springs PD. He loves it there. Says there is always something going on, even though its a small city. A bunch of tweekers to bust. I dont know about the pay, but I dont imagine its expensive to live there.

[bigwillie909]

Well I guess they extended the Inland Empire! East County SD, speakin of tweekers! Lakeside? Just having fun with ya, no harm no foul.

My buddy is an RSO seputy assigned to Beaumont or Banning, cant remember. Anyway, his beat is from Cherry Valley to Cathedral City. He mingles with some of the Palm Springs clientele from time to time, He's pulled over Pete Sampras and Jack Nickalaus. They also respond to a lot of calls on the Indian Reservations and in the Whitewater area. He loves it out there, a lot of action.

I would assume Palm Springs PD makes decent money, but I do think the actual city is expensive, howerver the surrounding areas are very affordable.

Good luck to you!

[reils49]

Dont the indians have their own law enforcement? I always wondered how that worked.

[natejpg]

Why would you want to work in the IE?

No offense to military guys cause someone needs to do the job but why join and then be shipped like luggage to different parts of the states just for training? Then after they have made you into a trained monkey they ship you to wherever they want? I don't mean any disrespect in any way, shape, or form because if it wasn't for your kind I wouldn't have the freedom to move to the IE.
I can't tell you why others would want to move there but I have family that lives there and my mom is from there and talked about it all the time when she was alive.
Another question you show you have passed CHP,LAPD, and San Deigo. Then you show a more current date in new york. why go through the trouble of testing in la if your going to stay in new york or vice versa?

[bigwillie909]

Dont the indians have their own law enforcement? I always wondered how that worked.

They do have their own officers, but I think they still call the local PD for most things. I think the reservation oficers mostly patrol the casinos and grounds.

[DAL]

I know the Chief of Rialto PD and worked with him elsewhere before he took that job. He is very supportive of his officers and is moving the department forward.

However, other police chiefs tell me that Rialto is very unstable politically, and chiefs there generally do not last long. I hope that things have changed.

[reils49]

No offense to military guys cause someone needs to do the job but why join and then be shipped like luggage to different parts of the states just for training? Then after they have made you into a trained monkey they ship you to wherever they want? I don't mean any disrespect in any way, shape, or form because if it wasn't for your kind I wouldn't have the freedom to move to the IE.
I can't tell you why others would want to move there but I have family that lives there and my mom is from there and talked about it all the time when she was alive.
Another question you show you have passed CHP,LAPD, and San Deigo. Then you show a more current date in new york. why go through the trouble of testing in la if your going to stay in new york or vice versa?

Nate, dont worry I dont find your post to be disrespectful, just ignorant. You obviously have had very little contact with us "monkeys" in the armed forces. Because if you had, you would realize that one of the perks of our work is being "shipped like luggage" around the world. And to answer your question, thats why I have tested with agencies in both NY and CA. Im from NY, but stationed in CA. And if I happen to be on leave and an exam is given in NY, why not take advantage of it. Or why not take the LAPD exam, when they come to base to administer it? Its called having options my friend; and I enjoy knowing that I have them. Dont be bitter because your stuck working in Polygamytown, Utah making $hit for money, and I can choose where I want to work.

And by the way, you're welcome for your freedom.

[reils49]

Are the reservation officers POST certified? I know here in SD, I still see CHP running radar on the roads that pass through the reservations, like Barona or Viejas.

[bigwillie909]

Are the reservation officers POST certified? I know here in SD, I still see CHP running radar on the roads that pass through the reservations, like Barona or Viejas.

I dont think they are POST certified, although the officers probabky have been thru POST certified academies.

[syphon157]

I know the Chief of Rialto PD and worked with him elsewhere before he took that job. He is very supportive of his officers and is moving the department forward.

However, other police chiefs tell me that Rialto is very unstable politically, and chiefs there generally do not last long. I hope that things have changed.

I know COPS has been doing a lot of filming in Rialto.

[syphon157]

.............

[natejpg]

Why do the job announcements for Colton, Rialto, and San Bernardino mention about having a height to weight requirement but when asked about it they say they do not have a height to weight requirement? Is it because they need people so badly their willing to waive some "standards"?

[natejpg]

Nate, dont worry I dont find your post to be disrespectful, just ignorant. You obviously have had very little contact with us "monkeys" in the armed forces. Because if you had, you would realize that one of the perks of our work is being "shipped like luggage" around the world. And to answer your question, thats why I have tested with agencies in both NY and CA. Im from NY, but stationed in CA. And if I happen to be on leave and an exam is given in NY, why not take advantage of it. Or why not take the LAPD exam, when they come to base to administer it? Its called having options my friend; and I enjoy knowing that I have them. Dont be bitter because your stuck working in Polygamytown, Utah making $hit for money, and I can choose where I want to work.

And by the way, you're welcome for your freedom.

Not bitter at all cause I don't work in "Polygamytown". You must not have a family though because moving family from state to state to even out of the country isn't much of a PERK! Thanks for proving my point about being trained monkeys though. Trained to attack at any possible chance. :p FYI I have family in the marines thank you and that's where I get the "trained monkeys" phrase from. Oh and I do understand keeping options open but to me that switching from west coast to east coast shows indecisiveness and no commitment and that's probably what background investigators will see. You also know that utah currently has one of the strongest job markets in the country with a declining unemloyment rate while others are increasing. Maybe you should come to Polygamytown and test. It's just on the Arizona border so it will make you feel right at home in the desert you love so much!

[DOAcop38]

Why do the job announcements for Colton, Rialto, and San Bernardino mention about having a height to weight requirement but when asked about it they say they do not have a height to weight requirement? Is it because they need people so badly their willing to waive some "standards"?

I believe POST still requires the ht to wieght .LAPD,CHP,LASD and most Depts inCA have that also- maybe they don't post it,but when you get down to the medical- its there ( and "no" ADA will not change that)- We've got bozos who apply for my dept over LAPD thinking they will beat that requirement ,only to get DQ'd or deferred by the SAME city doctor.......

[reils49]

Nate, if Utah is such a great place, why are you looking for a job in California?

[natejpg]

Nate, if Utah is such a great place, why are you looking for a job in California?

Family ties and personal reasons. plus it's colder than canada right now:(

[reils49]

I miss the cold, and god willling will move back to the cold in 8 months... I miss my ski's and snowshoes.