FAQs • Riverside County Sheriff, CA • CivicEngage

Can I make a report over the phone?: Sheriff's Dispatch handles non-emergency reports that are primarily for documentation purposes. Assault or other violent crime reports cannot be reported over the phone. These calls must be handled by deputies. Use the Who to Call page to find the dispatch number for your area. You may also come into any of the Sheriff's stations to file these types of reports.

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Crime Division

1. How do I find my law enforcement agency?: Visit the Stations page for a comprehensive list of law enforcement agencies in Riverside County.

2. What do I do about loud music, noise or barking dogs?: Call the non-emergency dispatch number for your area for a deputy to be sent to the location. All numbers for Riverside County are listed on the Who To Call page.

3. My car was stolen, who do I call?: If the car was stolen within the last 15 minutes call 911 emergency dispatch. If it’s been longer than 15 minutes you should call the non-emergency dispatch number for your area.

4. People are riding off-road vehicles on private property without permission. Who do I call?

The Sheriff’s Off-Highway Vehicle (ROVE) team will investigate complains of illegal off-road activity. You can’t call the team directly because they are patrolling in some of the remotest areas of the county.

Please contact the non-emergency dispatch number for your area to have a deputy sent to the area. If a certain area is repeatedly used for illegal off-road activities, ROVE will be sent out to patrol the area.

You can also use the Report Illegal Off-Road Activity form to send a report to the ROVE team.

5. What should I do if I see a stray dog?

It depends on what the dog is doing.

If the dog is:

Causing a traffic hazard, call 911
Running loose on street (no hazard), call County Animal Control 951-358-7387
Vicious or threatening, call 911

6. What are the operating hours for the Sheriff's Station's front counters?: Generally speaking, Sheriff's Station front counters are open to the public during normal business hours from 8 AM to 5 PM. You should call first to be sure of the station's operating hours. Please use the station lookup tool to find the agency you wish to contact.

7. Can I talk to an officer or detective at the front counter?: Officers and detectives are not assigned to the front counters. In cases of emergencies an officer will be dispatched to the location. It is highly recommended to make an appointment if you need to speak with a detective.

8. Can I make a report over the phone?: Sheriff's Dispatch handles non-emergency reports that are primarily for documentation purposes. Assault or other violent crime reports cannot be reported over the phone. These calls must be handled by deputies. Use the Who to Call page to find the dispatch number for your area. You may also come into any of the Sheriff's stations to file these types of reports.

9. Can I make a report using my computer?: Yes, you may use the Sheriff's online crime report form for non-emergency crimes. Auto thefts cannot be reported using this form.

10. How do I file a commendation or complaint against the Sheriff's Office?: Please follow the instructions on our Commendations and Complaints page.

11. Who can get a copy of a report?

Copies of Crime/Accident Reports are released in accordance with Section 6254 of the California Government Code. These reports are considered to be confidential and are generally releasable to “interested parties” (as defined by applicable State codes) or court order.

You can request a copy of a report from the Sheriff’s station that wrote the report, or responded to the incident. If within 14 days of the incident, please contact the handling station to confirm the report is available.

You may also request a copy of a report via mail or by contacting the Information Services Bureau.

A valid, government issued photo identification card (i.e., driver’s license, passport, military id) must be presented if request is submitted in person, or a copy of the ID must be enclosed if the request is submitted by mail.

Fees, if applicable, must be paid before copies of the reports are released.

12. Does the Sheriff's Office provide fingerprinting services to the public?: The Live Scan Fingerprint Index provides information on locations, fees, and hours of operation for fingerprinting services in your area.

13. My vehicle was towed, how do I find out where it is and how to get it back?

There is an administrative fee for the release of vehicles towed for parking violations, expired registration, safekeeping etc. The registered owner of the vehicle will need to come to the Sheriff's Office Front Counter to obtain a Vehicle Release Form to present to the storage yard.

Required Documents

The owner must have a valid driver's license or a person with them who does, and the vehicle registration must be current. In the event the registered owner cannot be present, the Sheriff's Office will accept a notarized letter authorizing a person designated in the notarized letter to claim the vehicle. In the event the owner is in jail, a signature from the Deputy or other official representative from the jail will be accepted provided there is a name and phone number for that individual provided so we can confirm it's authenticity.