"PARTNERSHIP WITH "PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY" OUR COMMUNITY"
I am pleased to bring you the Murrieta Police Department 2023 Annual Report. Entering my 4th year as Murrieta’s Chief of Police, I continue to be impressed every day by the incredible work our officers, dispatchers and professional staff do for this community 2023 was no doubt a very busy year for Murrieta PD We continue to pride ourselves as one of the safest cities in the nation That reputation undoubtable requires the department to put in the work every day with our law enforcement partners, our community and the city
Technology used to fight crime and deliver service is something we embraced in 2023 We see these tools as game changers in solving crime, creating efficiencies and reducing response times We added an additional 20 Flock License Plate Reader cameras in 2023, bringing our total within the city limits to 40 Reading over 10 million plates per month our officers and detectives look to Flock first when investigating crime Our communications center is now running Live 911 Live 911 allows our officers to hear the emergency call in real time as it is received by our dispatcher The goal is always to get the most accurate information to our officers as soon as possible and reduce response times in the process. Live 911 gives our officers a head start when the public needs us most. Finally, Murrieta PD launched a robust Unmanned Aerial Systems program in 2023 Our fleet of drones can be deployed anywhere in the city to help with surveillance, crime scene management and suspect apprehension This critical piece of equipment is the aerial platform (eye in the sky) Murrieta has needed for many years
Being first is not new to Murrieta PD, and 2023 was no different! We are one of the first agencies in Southern California to transition to the new Taser 10 platform The Taser 10 less lethal energy device allows our officers to engage violent subjects from a greater distance, creating more time and distance for officer and citizen safety In the new National Incident Based Reporting System, we now have a crime ranking we can publish #1 safest city in California in the crimes against property category and #3 in the crimes against persons category is something I am very proud of Finally, for the first time in department history, we have partnered with the United States Postal Service to combat mail and identify theft and we are housing the regional computer and technology high tech crime task force for this region. These crimes interrupt and destroy the lives of so many people and it is imperative that we stay creative in holding criminals accountable.
The outstanding work of our employees and the relationship we have with our community is what makes us great. My officers are educated, experienced and accomplished in their field of work. More importantly, they are dedicated to this community as they live here and raise their families here My dispatchers work in one of the very few law and fire communication centers serving 3 separate agencies, and over 220,000 people My dispatchers are trained in emergency medical dispatching and are cross trained in police and fire, as well as multiple technology platforms My professional staff grew to over 27 employees in 2023 They support our officers and dispatchers every day and believe in our mission Most importantly, the community remains a true partner for us We have over 160,000 people on our various social media platforms and are communicating with our residents every day In 2023, we remodeled and opened up our community room just off the station lobby for our residents to use Our police station belongs to the residents of Murrieta and we are honored to care for it on their behalf
Please enjoy the 2023 Annual Report and thank you for your interest in the Murrieta Police Department!
Chief Conrad
Our Mission: In partnership with our community, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality police service to enhance community safety, protect life and property and reduce crime
Our Vision: We are committed to working together with the community using innovative ideas, available resources and government agencies to fight crime and improve the quality of life in our community
Our Values:
Accountability: We will accept responsibility for our actions.
Fairness: We will treat everyone with dignity and respect and in an equitable manner.
Honesty: We will be forthright and truthful
Human Life: The protection of human life is our highest priority
Integrity: We will do what is right without compromise
Loyalty: To the organization, profession and the community
Professionalism: We will serve this community with honor and pride
Our department is always competing to be one of the safest cities. In 2023, the FBI released their annual series of publications regarding national crime statistics and data for the previous reporting year (2022) When compared to all NIBRS reporting cities in the State of California with a similar population (100,000-249,999)
Murrieta ranked:
Overall, Murrieta ranked 3rd in all Group A NIBRS Offenses This was our first full year with a NIBRS ranking
We responded to 67,886 calls for service.
We made 1,661 arrests
70%
30% We processed 5,958 police reports. Felony Arrests Misdemeanor Arrests
We processed 4,770 items as evidence.
We handled 762 traffic collision reports.
is staffed with officers who respond to a variety of calls for service We currently have 60 uniformed police officers who are dedicated to field operations
Our Regional Communications Center dispatches for Murrieta Fire & Rescue, Murrieta Police Department and Menifee Police Department
Police Administration supports the Chief and Captains' offices, manages police budgets, grants and day-to-day operations to ensure efficient functioning of the police department
The MPD Training Division schedules and administers the most up-to-date training to enhance officers' knowledge and tactics
The Detective Bureau is staffed with detectives who handle: sex crimes, property crimes, robberies, homicides and more
Our Social Media Team utilizes multiple social media outlets to communicate with our community, circulate information, request investigative assistance, and keep our community informed
Community Service Officers (CSOs) perform limited enforcement duties within the city and investigate past crimes
The Murrieta Police Department’s Community Policing Team has joined with the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health Department to form a collaborative Community Behavioral Health Assessment Team (CBAT) Measure T funding allows the Murrieta Police Department’s CBAT unit to team a specially trained police officer with a County of Riverside clinical therapist to respond to calls for law enforcement service involving mental health issues in our community The officer and therapist ride together in the same patrol car 40 hours per week
The Murrieta Police Department’s Community Policing Team (CPT) was founded in January, 2020 as a direct result of Measure T funding CPT seeks innovative and comprehensive solutions to quality of life issues facing our community by partnering with diverse resources and reaching beyond reliance on the typically reactive nature of a police patrol response CPT’s partners include community groups, social outreach organizations, other departments within the City of Murrieta and County of Riverside, regional behavioral health professionals, allied law enforcement agencies, and units within the Murrieta Police Department
Community Policing Team Statistics for 2023
162 Community Partner Assists
1,109 Field Contacts & Vehicle Stops
214 Business & Encampment Checks
303 Homeless Outreach Contacts
139 Probation & Parole Contacts/Searches
466 Patrol Assists
68 Investigation Assists
9 Search Warrants
121 Arrests
Mental Health Statistics for 2023
2,052 Welfare Check Calls for Service
515 Mental Health Calls for Service
347 Mental Health Detentions
Our CBAT Team was able to follow-up and link over 100 clients to services and assist with over 200 mental health diversions
Murrieta is always looking for innovative ways to assist our community members and offer services to those in need In 2023, the City of Murrieta entered into a partnership with Care Solace Care Solace is an organization that bridges the gap between first responders, justice systems, social agencies, and community-based mental health providers
They serve over 730 organizations across the United States and now offer their services free of charge to all Murrieta residents. Officers with the Murrieta Police Department have the Care Solace App downloaded on their work phones and have access to Care Solace resources 24/7
The Murrieta Police Department Regional Communications Center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Our dispatchers provide the highest quality service for the Murrieta and Menifee Police Departments and Murrieta Fire and Rescue Our dispatchers are also trained in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) which allows dispatchers to provide critical life saving instructions while emergency personnel are enroute.
431,572 Communication Center Tasks
66,797 9-1-1 Calls
6,689 Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Calls
137,973 Police Incidents
11,494 Fire & Rescue Incidents
Murrieta’s Communications Center is specially trained in Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) as of August 2020. Not long after, the “Tree of Life” idea was born and a vinyl cut-out of a bare tree was placed on a wall in the Communications Center Dispatchers are awarded leaves and butterflies during ceremonies throughout the year which are then placed on the Tree of Life by the dispatcher
Green leaves represent lives saved with dispatchers instructing CPR and the patient survives
Butterflies represent babies born with dispatchers providing guidance over the phone (pink for girls, blue for boys)
This is an amazing award to achieve and showcases the lives we saved and the lives we helped bring into the world
The Murrieta Police Department added 20 new Flock license plate reader cameras to our fleet in 2023 The additional cameras were strategically installed at egress points throughout the city
In 2023, our department purchased 125 Motorola 5G cellular handheld radios and will be transitioning to them over the next few months. The new radios can utilize a cellular 5G connection and transmit over the PSEC system anywhere in the United States with cellular coverage The new radios are also embedded with GPS which will enhance officer safety
The Murrieta Police Department Regional Communications Center recently launched Live 9-1-1 Live 9-1-1 allows officers in the field the ability to listen to emergency calls as they come into the Communications Center This technology improves response times, increases situational awareness and gives first responders a head start when responding to emergency calls.
As our city continues to grow, our department is dedicated to utilizing the most up-to-date technology to provide our citizens with the highest quality police service
In 2023, Our department transitioned to the Taser 10 The Taser 10 gives officers an additional tool to use during deescalation situations We are one of the first agencies in Southern California to make the move
Our department upgraded our body worn cameras to the new Body Worn Camera 4 in 2023 One of the new features includes access for supervisors to view critical incidents in real time
The Riverside Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID) is a multi-agency task force that works to reduce vehicle theft in Riverside County RAID also hosts up-to-date training for local law enforcement agencies and shares crucial intelligence. In 2023, the RAID Team recovered 1,348 stolen vehicles (total recovery value $26,738,283) and made 197 arrests
The Central PACT Team focuses on "high risk" and "at-large" Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) offenders that pose the greatest risk to community safety In 2023, the Central PACT Team made 692 arrests and recovered 96 firearms (plus 1 grenade) Throughout the year, the team seized 1,420 grams of methamphetamine and 281 grams of heroin + fentanyl Central PACT also conducted 2,294 parole/probation searches and recovered 17 stolen vehicles Chief Conrad serves as the PACT Executive Committee Chief
The Inland CrackDown Allied Task Force (INCA) is made up of special agents and officers from various law enforcement agencies Their mission is to target drug trafficking in the Inland Empire INCA focuses on cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and money laundering investigations. In 2023, INCA made 56 arrests and recovered 14 firearms The team also seized 4,500 pounds of cocaine, 475 pounds of liquid methamphetamine, 53 pounds of fentanyl and 143 pounds of fentanyl pills
The Inland Empire Mail Theft Task Force was developed as a cooperative effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and deter criminal offenses involving the United States Postal Service including mail theft, money laundering, identity theft and other related crimes In 2023, the Inland Empire Mail Theft Task Force received more than 4,000 complaints regarding USPS crimes in Riverside County The Task Force conducted, or assisted with, dozens of investigations resulting in seizures of at least 5 firearms, prosecutions/arrests of approximately 18 individuals and the recovery of more than $168,000 in assets
The Gang Impact Team (GIT) is supervised by the Riverside County District Attorney's (DA) Office This team is comprised of Investigators from the DA‘s Office, Homeland Security (HSI), the U.S Marshal's Services (USMC), the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and local police departments The GIT team proactively handles firearm-related and violent crimes in Riverside County In 2023, the GIT team made 232 arrests, recovered 64 firearms, seized 6,230 grams of methamphetamine, 18,077 grams of cocaine, 4,047 grams of fentanyl and 2,793 fentanyl pills
The Murrieta Police Department currently houses and supervises the Murrieta / Temecula Regional Gang Task Force (GTF) This team handles gang related cases in Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Menifee In 2023, the Murrieta / Temecula Regional Gang Task Force made 213 arrests, recovered 22 firearms, and filed 42 criminal cases (3 of those cases included gang enhancements)
The Riverside County Child Exploitation Team (RCCET) proactively monitors registered sex offenders to ensure their compliance with registration standards RCCET works to protect our community members through education, identification and by prosecuting those who commit internet crimes against children RCCET is also a member of the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) In 2023, RCCET reviewed 4,500 referrals and made 107 arrests
The Computer and Technology High Tech Crime Response Unit (CATCH) is a multi-agency task force in Riverside County dedicated to assisting with criminal matters involving a high tech nexus CATCH has a fully functioning substation at Murrieta PD and assists with investigations such as Homicides, Sex Crimes, Social Media Threats and Cyber Stalking In 2023, CATCH processed 1,487 devices (822 cell phones and 665 computers) CATCH also assisted with 71 homicide investigations and 96 overdose investigations
The Murrieta Police Department values employee health and wellness, as well as the wellness of our city residents. Murrieta PD brought on K9 Simpson for the purpose of providing general support to police department employees, and specific support to both department members or members of the public who have experienced a traumatic incident Simpson is a yellow lab that started his training with Guide Dogs of the Desert at 6 weeks old After vigorous training, Simpson completed his “Therapy Dog Certification” Simpson is also an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen
CERTIFIED GOOD BOY
Simpson can work anytime, depending on when critical incidents occur. During Simpson’s regular work day, he visits staff members in the office, attends community events or visits students at school Simpson has mandatory down time every day
Simpson lives with his assigned handler Simpson’s handler takes care of him, brings him to work and takes him to meet new friends.
One of the earliest studies of support dogs can be traced back to the 1960's. Dr. Boris Levinson found that his dog had a positive effect on mentally impaired young patients. Specifically, he discovered that patients were more comfortable and likely to socialize with his dog than with other humans. Support canines provide a judgement-free outlet for stress and a feeling of support
In 2017, there were believed to be 6 law enforcement agencies across the country with established Support Dog programs
Over the last several years, the use of support dogs within the Law Enforcement community has rapidly grown across the United States. Hundreds of agencies have invested in support dogs to enhance the well-being of their employees and members of the community.
In February 2023, the Murrieta Police Department hosted the 6th Annual K-9 Trials at Mesa Murrieta High School The event hosted 47 K-9 teams, from five different California counties and Mexico The K-9 teams showcased their abilities through various disciplines which included narcotics searches, evidence searches, area searches and obedience scenarios The highly anticipated event drew over 2,000 spectators and included a snack bar and an array of vendors. Murrieta‘s K-9 teams performed at a very high level and represented the department with honor and professionalism.
In 2023, the Murrieta Police Department launched Team Kids. The new Team Kids program replaced the well-known D.A.R.E. program. The curriculum was developed for the 5th grade student population with the assistance of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) The purpose of the program is to make positive connections with the youth in our community in a safe environment Our instructors work as mentors and focus on a variety of topics including Social Media Safety, Internet Safety, Peer Pressure and Harmful Substances The Team Kids program is expected to grow in 2024
In 2023, the Murrieta Police Department in collaboration with the City of Murrieta hosted Dark in the Park, our 3rd annual Halloween event. Dark in the park is a trunk-or-treat style event with booths decorated by city employees from various departments including the Police Department, Fire Department and City Hall This year’s event included 25 unique booths, an 80's concert, spooky laser light show and food vendors The Dark in the Park event brought approximately 10,000 Murrieta residents and attendees together to celebrate Halloween
The Murrieta Police Department values our community members
Each year, our officers volunteer to participate in Shop with a Cop This is a great way for officers to connect with local families and humanize the badge This year, the Murrieta Police Department connected with several families in need and were able to help 13 kids Approximately 15 officers and members of our command staff participated in the event which brought joy and gratitude to Murrieta families in need
In 2023, we renewed our partnership with SAFE and the Police Activities League (PAL) PAL is a great program to be a mentor/role model to a juvenile and to establish positive police contacts with our youth PAL participation is for students between the ages of 5 and 17 years old. Activities are organized within specific age categories and are age appropriate.
In 2023, Southwest Valley Youth Court resumed after a 3 year pause Youth Court is a diversion program for minors who are first time offenders Cases are heard before a jury of their peers instead of in a criminal court Currently, our Youth Court has over 150 youth volunteers working in the roles of attorneys, bailiffs and jurors The primary function of Youth Court is to determine a fair and restorative sentence for the juvenile respondent
In July of 2023, the Police Department launched our Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program (aka Drone Program). UAS’s are an efficient and effective way of providing law enforcement critical information to respond more efficiently to calls for service and emergency situations, or to conduct criminal investigations Some examples include providing an overhead view of an area or incident for ground personnel, safely clearing the interior of buildings, providing detailed documentation of crime and accident scenes, and searching for lost or missing persons. Our UAS Team is a collateral duty and consists of 6 sworn personnel
The Murrieta PD Volunteer Program has been in existence since the mid 1990’s The Police Volunteer Program has been vital to this department’s success over the years Police Volunteers assist at the front counter, perform a number of administrative and clerical duties, conduct extra patrol in the city, assist with special events and respond to emergencies as needed. Our Chaplains are a vital part of our volunteer team as well The Police Department currently has 36 volunteers Our dedicated volunteers work a minimum of 16 hours per month Our volunteer with the most hours in 2023 had an impressive 542 hours, and collectively, our volunteers worked 6,508 hours
In July of 2023, the Murrieta Police Department launched Performa-Labs Performa-Labs is a software platform that provides faster and safer training for mission-critical careers like law enforcement. Utilizing the PerformaLabs mobile application, police officers are able to view real-world body worn camera footage to test their knowledge while also increasing their training and experience This training is California POST certified and counts towards
officers’ mandatory training In 2023, officers completed training in Strategic Communications and Use of Force In 2024, officers will complete another series of training focused on de-escalation scenarios and communication.
In January of 2023, the remodel of our Community Room was completed and presented to city employees for their use The room had previously been used to house our Gang Task Force employees, but with the remodel of our Records Bureau, they were relocated to a new office space The room is equipped with movable tables and chairs, as well as full audio/visual capabilities for hosting meetings and training The goal is to prepare this room for eventual use by our community members as initially intended when our police station was built in 2002.
Closing out 2023, the Police Department has authorized staffing at 109 officers, 44 dispatch personnel (including part-time and supervisors), and 27 professional staff, for a total of 180 paid police employees. In 2023, the department saw a considerable amount of movement This has been consistent for the last 3 years In 2023, we saw memos issued for 29 collateral duty and/or reassignment opportunities Chief Conrad also had the privilege of promoting 12 police department employees to a higher rank and/or a supervisor position and hired 25 new police employees. Over the year, the Police Department celebrated 6 well deserved retirements
