Police

Require Warning Before Shooting

- Where feasible, the officer shall, prior to the use of force, make reasonable efforts to identify themselves as a peace officer and to warn that deadly force may be used. (Use of Force Policy 300.4)

Exhaust All Alternatives Before Shooting

- As set forth by Penal Code 835a, an officer may use deadly force only when necessary for either of the following reasons:

  (a) An officer may use deadly force to protect him/herself or others from what he/she reasonably believes is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person.

(b) An officer may use deadly force to apprehend a fleeing person for any felony that threatened or resulted in death or seriously bodily injury, if the officer reasonably believes that the person will cause death or serious bodily injury to another unless immediately apprehended. (Use of Force Policy 300.4)

Ban Chokeholds & Strangleholds

- "Chokeholds and Strangleholds" have never been an authorized use of force option by the Ontario Police Department.  The Carotid Control Hold, as outlines in Use of Force Policy Section 300.3.4, has been suspended and is under review. 

Ban Shooting At Moving Vehicles

- Shots fires at or from a moving vehicle are rarely effective.  Officers should move out of the path of an approaching vehicle instead of discharging their firearm at the vehicle or any of its occupants.  An officer should only discharge a firearm at a moving vehicle or its occupants when the officer reasonably believes that there are no other reasonable means available to avert the threat of the vehicle, or if deadly force other than the vehicle is directed at the officer or others. (Use of Force Policy 300.4.1)

Duty to Intervene

- Any officer present and observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall, when in a position to do so, intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force.  An officer who observes another employee use force that exceeds the degree of force permitted by law should promptly report these observations to a supervisor. (Use of Force Policy 300.2.1 Duty to Intercede)

Require All Use of Force Be Reported

- Any use of force by a member of the Ontario Police Department shall be documented promptly, completely, and accurately in an appropriate report, depending on the nature of the incident. (Use of Force Policy 300.5)

Require Use of Force Continuum

- Officer shall use only the amount of force that is objectively reasonable given the facts and totality of the circumstances known to or perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose.  Given that no policy can realistically predict every possible situation an officer might encounter, officers are entrusted to use well-reasoned discretion in determining the appropriate use of force in each incident. (Use of Force Policy 300.3 in accordance with California Penal Code Section 835A.)

Require De-Escalation

- De-escalation training is provided to all officers of the Ontario Police Department.  In addition, training on topics consisting of biased based policing, cultural awareness, and mental health meets and often exceeds the standards set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. 

Chief Mike Lorenz graduated from West Covina High School and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University.  He served in the United States Air Force from July 1993 - June 1997.  In late 1997, he attended the 130th basic training academy at the San Bernardino Sheriff's Academy.  He was hired during the academy by the City of Ontario and in March of 1998 became a patrol officer. 

Chief Lorenz worked a variety of assignments to include; Patrol, Narcotics, Gang Violence Suppression Unit, Field Training Program, Multi-Enforcement Team, and SWAT.  He spent four years as a task force officer with the DOJ/BNE clandestine laboratory team, where he targeted methamphetamine and PCP labs.  In 2017, he graduated from the inaugural Cal Chiefs/Drucker's Institute of Executive Leadership Course in Claremont, Ca.

Chief Lorenz has held supervisory and command positions in Patrol Operations, East Area Command, SWAT/Crisis Negotiations. COPS/MET, Gang Suppression Unit, K9 and Interdiction.

As part of the ongoing commitment to provide superior police services to the community, the Ontario Police Department has implemented a geographical based policing program. As part of this “Geo-Policing” program, the city has been drawn into three geographical areas: West, East, and South. Each area has an assigned Lieutenant as Area Commander. The Area Commander is responsible for the delivery of police services in their area of control with an emphasis on the preservation and improvement of the quality of life, safety, and economic value of those who live and do business in the city. 

Each area has dedicated teams of officers and corporals, headed by police sergeants, who work day-to-day (24/7) patrol operations; traffic officers; Community Engagement Team (C.E.T.) officers, who work special projects; narcotics investigators; and detectives. 

Please consider your Area Commander to be your direct point of contact for any non-emergency issue facing your neighborhood or business. 

West Commander 

 Lt. Jason Gandy • jgandy@ontariopolice.org 

East Commander

 Lt. Jason Dumont • jdumont@ontariopolice.org 

South Commander

Lt. Melissa Ramirez • meramirez@ontariopolice.org 

 Source: FBI Website

* Preliminary statistics as reported to the State of CA

Chaplains

The Police Chaplain is a citizen volunteer, highly trained in the areas of professional ministry and counseling. Police Chaplains provide a professional, religious ministry to the citizens of Ontario and to the personnel of the Ontario Police Department.

Explorers

The Explorer program is a volunteer youth program designed for motivated and service orientated young men and women who have an interest in the law enforcement field. Explorers attend weekly meetings where they receive training in all avenues of law enforcement. The program provides an opportunity for youth to develop their leadership & teamwork skills and make a difference in their community.

For more information, email explorers@ontariopolice.org or fill out an interest form to be notified when the recruitment process has begun: click here

S.P.O.T.

Seniors Patrolling Our Town

The "Seniors Patrolling our Town" program is designed to utilize and train senior citizens of the community to assist the Ontario Police Department personnel in patrol and with special events. S.P.O.T. members patrol in pairs and work various shifts. They have an opportunity to serve their community in a positive way through the following functions:

• Vacation House Checks
• Special Events / Programs
• Assisting in Traffic Control
• And other police related duties
• Welfare Checks (Disabled or Elderly Citizens)
• Reporting Abandoned Vehicles
• Issuing Various Parking Citations

V.I.P.

Volunteers In Police

The "Volunteer in Police" program is to accommodate citizens wishing to volunteer their time within the police department. The Ontario Police Department is seeking dependable and interested citizens to volunteer their time within the various units of the police department to perform any of the following tasks:

• Filing
• Answering Telephones
• Data Entry
• Other related duties.
• Typing
• Clerical Assistance
• Assist with Special Events

Assembly Bill AB 481

Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition and Use Policy

Effective September 30th, 2021, Assembly Bill 481 (“AB 481”) requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body (i.e., Mayor and City Council), by adopting a military equipment use policy prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as that term is defined by Government Code § 7070(c).

- Read the full bill text

On this page:

• Requirements
• Definition of Military Equipment
• Documents
• Annual Report
• Public Input Regarding AB 481
• Upcoming Public Meetings

Requirements

AB 481 requires each law enforcement agency's governing body to adopt a written military use policy by ordinance in addition to the following:

• Publish the draft military equipment use policy to the Police Department’s website thirty (30) days ahead of a public hearing to approve the policy.
• Obtain approval by the applicable governing body (Mayor and City Council), by adoption of a military equipment use policy prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as defined. (See definitions below)
• Publish an annual report by the law enforcement agency to include each type of military equipment approved by the governing body.
• Annual review of the military equipment use ordinance by the governing body, and option to either disapprove a renewal of a type of military equipment or amend the military equipment use policy if it determines that the military equipment does not comply with standards for approval.
• Hold at least one well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting within thirty (30) days of submitting and publicly releasing the annual military equipment report.

Definition of Military Equipment

AB 481 designates the following categories of items as military equipment:

• Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles.
• Mine-resistant ambush-protected ("MRAP") vehicles or armored personnel carriers.
• High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles ("HMMWV)", two-and-one-half-ton
  trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have a breaching or entry apparatus
  attached.
• Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants.
• Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the
  operational control and direction of public safety units.
• Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind.
• Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature. This
  does not include a handheld, one-person ram.
• Firearms and ammunition of.50 caliber or greater, excluding standard-issue shotguns
  and standard-issue shotgun ammunition.
• Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than.50 caliber, including firearms and
  accessories identified as assault weapons in Penal Code section 30510 and Penal
  Code section 30515, with the exception of standard-issue firearms.
• Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles.
• Noise-flash diversionary devices and explosive breaching tools.
• Munitions containing tear gas or OC, excluding standard, service-issued handheld
  pepper spray.
• TASER® Shockwave, microwave weapons, water cannons, and long-range acoustic
  devices ("LRADs").
• Kinetic energy weapons and munitions.
• Any other equipment as determined by the City Council to require additional oversight.

Documents

•  OPD Lexipol Policy 708 Military Equipment (Final Proposed)
•  OPD AB 481 Military Equipment Inventory (2024 Draft)

Annual Report

A law enforcement agency that receives approval for a military equipment use policy is required to submit to the governing body an annual military equipment report for each type of military equipment approved by the governing body within one year of approval, and annually thereafter for as long as the military equipment is available for use. The annual report is also required to be made publicly available on the department's website.

Additional Requirements for the Report

The annual military equipment report shall, at a minimum, include the following information for the immediately preceding calendar year for each type of military equipment:

1. A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.
2. A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.
3. The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response.
4. The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military equipment in the calendar year following submission of the annual military equipment report.
5. The quantity possessed for each type of military equipment.
6. If the law enforcement agency intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment.
7. Hold at least one well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting within thirty (30) days of submitting and publicly releasing the annual military equipment report. This report, and any associated information, will be published on this webpage. The first Annual Report will be distributed in or around October/November of 2024.

Public Input Regarding AB 481

On October 8th, 2024, the Ontario Police Department posted the proposed military equipment policy on this website and submitted the proposed policy to City Council for the annual reading on November 5th, 2024 and  and is scheduled for City Council consideration on December 3rd, 2024. 

Members of the public may register complaints or concerns, or submit questions about the use of each specific type of military equipment in this policy by any of the following means:

1. Via email to: MilitaryEquipmentCoordinator@ontariopolice.org
2. Via phone call to: (909) 395-2001
3. Via mail sent to: Ontario Police Department

                Attn: Military Equipment Use Coordinator
                2500 S. Archibald Avenue
                Ontario, CA 91761

The Department is committed to responding to complaints, concerns and/or questions received through any of the above methods in a timely manner.

Upcoming Public Meetings

• Nov 19th, 2024. City Council Meeting: First Reading of the Ordinance Adopting the Military Equipment Policy. 
• Dec 17th, 2024. City Council Meeting: Second Reading (Tentative date)

Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was signed into law in 2003. One of PREA's requirements was the development of national standards to address sexual abuse and harassment in detention facilities. Finalized in 2012 by the Department of Justice, the National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape are binding on prisons, jails, youth detention facilities, police lockups and community corrections facilities. 

Zero Tolerance

Ontario Police Department has zero tolerance toward all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Ontario Police will take immediate action to protect detainees and prisoners who are reasonably believed to be subject to a substantial risk of imminent sexual abuse.

• Ontario Police Department Policy - PREA Policy 904

Reporting

Reports of sexual abuse and sexual harassment can be made by inmates, friends or family of inmates, attorneys, community members, or anyone who suspects or witnesses sexual abuse or sexual harassment.  Abuse and harassment may be reported in the following ways:  

• Email the Administration Sergeant
• Call (909) 408-1819 
• Call Dispatch (909) 986-6711