(1) Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 264 - An Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Canyon Lake, California, Amending Ordinance No. 260 to Appoint the Chief of Police as the Administrative Head of the Police Department; and (2) Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 265 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Canyon Lake, California, Amending Ordinance No. 260 to Appoint the Chief of Police as the Administrative Head of the Police Department.
 

On April 9, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-15, expressing the City’s intent to establish a municipal police department and authorizing implementation steps. On September 23, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 260, which formally established the Canyon Lake Police Department and declared the City’s intent to participate in the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program.

As the City had not yet appointed a Chief of Police, Ordinance No. 260 provided that the Department would operate under the administrative direction of the City Manager. Under Penal Code Sections 832.3 and 832.4 and Government Code Section 38630, now that the City has appointed a Chief of Police who meets POST training and certification requirements, it is appropriate to amend Ordinance No. 260 to place the Canyon Lake Police Department under the control of a Chief of Police. This approach is consistent with state statutory requirements and general guidance from POST, ensuring the proper organizational structure is in place as the City prepares for the Department’s operational start on or about August 31, 2026.

The Urgency Ordinance is identical to the proposed regular Ordinance except that it would go into effect immediately if adopted by a four-fifths vote. In parallel, a regular version of the Ordinance is also being introduced to provide continuity and reinforce the urgency measure through the standard legislative process, consistent with best practices.