Canyon Lake, a neighboring city to Lake Elsinore, has launched its own police department after years of receiving law enforcement services from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
The Canyon Lake Police Department began operations Aug. 10, marking the city’s shift to its own municipal police agency.
“The Canyon Lake Police Department officially went 10-8 and began serving the community,” Madalyne Gonzales, the city’s community engagement coordinator, said. “It was a proud and historic moment for the city, as well as the beginning of a new chapter in public safety for Canyon Lake.”
Canyon Lake borders Lake Elsinore and is located just east of the city.
Before launching its own department, Canyon Lake contracted with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services. When first incorporated, Canyon Lake received those services through the Sheriff’s Office’s Perris Station before they were later handled through the Lake Elsinore Station.
“The city remains deeply grateful to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for its many years of dedicated service to Canyon Lake,” Gonzales said.
Although the Sheriff’s Office is no longer Canyon Lake’s contracted law enforcement provider, the agencies will continue to maintain a regional partnership, Gonzales said.
The department is led by Police Chief James Rayls. Rayls retired from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in September 2025 after 29 years with the agency. From 2022 until his retirement, he served as captain of the Lake Elsinore Station.
“Chief Rayls brings valuable experience and familiarity with Canyon Lake to this role,” Gonzales said. “His return as the city’s inaugural police chief provides meaningful continuity, as he already understands the community, its residents, and its unique public-safety needs.”
The Canyon Lake Police Department is fully staffed with 10 sworn officers, including Rayls, as well as four community service officers and one records clerk, Gonzales said. The city’s decision to create its own department came after evaluation, planning and community discussion.
“Ultimately, the city council determined that having a local department would give Canyon Lake greater oversight of its public-safety resources and allow law enforcement services to be more closely tailored to the community,” she said.
The new department will work alongside the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association’s Community Patrol, but the two groups will have different responsibilities.
Police officers will enforce state and local laws, respond to calls, conduct investigations and address public-safety matters, Gonzales said.
Community Patrol personnel are not sworn police officers. They will continue observing and reporting concerns, assisting with POA-related matters and sharing information with the police department when appropriate.
During its first few months, the department will focus on maintaining continuity of service, having a visible presence throughout Canyon Lake, strengthening relationships with residents and community partners and refining its internal procedures and operations, Gonzales said.
“Over time, they will become even more familiar with our neighborhoods, residents, businesses, and the unique needs of the community,” she said. “It also creates more opportunities for residents to know their officers personally and for the department to build a strong, visible presence rooted in community policing.”
