By Amelia Anderson The Ontario Police Department, commonly known as OPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency responsible for public safety within the City of Ontario, California. Its responsibilities include emergency response, neighbourhood patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, airport policing, crime prevention, evidence management and community engagement.
Call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger, a weapon is involved or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is required. Ontario also supports Text-to-911 for emergencies. For police assistance that is not an emergency, call 909-986-6711. The non-emergency dispatch line operates 24 hours a day.
Ontario uses a geographic policing system that divides the city into three operational areas: West, East and South. These are police-service areas rather than separate public precinct stations.
Ontario Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Ontario Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | OPD |
| Headquarters address | 2500 S. Archibald Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Text-to-911 | Available |
| Non-emergency dispatch | 909-986-6711 |
| Police Front Desk | 909-395-2001 |
| Current police chief | Rudy Lopez |
| Property and Evidence | 909-408-1982 |
| PREA reporting line | 909-408-1819 |
| Number of geographic areas | Three |
| Geographic areas | West, East and South |
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Area served | Locations within Ontario city limits |
| Online police reporting | Available for selected non-emergency incidents |
| Front Desk weekday hours | Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Weekend hours | Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 a.m.–noon |
| County inmate information | 909-350-2476 |
| West Valley Detention Center | 9500 Etiwanda Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 |
The department’s current public directory lists 2500 South Archibald Avenue as its main facility. Rudy Lopez currently serves as police chief.
Ontario Police Department Address and Headquarters
The department’s main facility is located at:
- Ontario Police Department
- 2500 South Archibald Avenue
- Ontario, California 91761
The Police Front Desk can be contacted at 909-395-2001.
Public lobby hours are generally:
- Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to noon
- Federal holidays: Closed
Weekend public service is more limited and is mainly available for vehicle releases. Residents needing report copies, fingerprinting, citation sign-offs or other administrative services should visit during regular weekday hours whenever possible.
The headquarters address should not replace calling for immediate assistance. Call 911 when someone is in danger or a crime is actively taking place. For a delayed crime or another non-emergency matter, call 909-986-6711 before travelling to the station.
Important Ontario Police Phone Numbers
Call 911 when:
- A crime is currently happening
- Someone is in immediate danger
- A firearm, knife or another weapon is involved
- A suspect remains at or near the scene
- Someone has suffered a serious injury
- Domestic violence is taking place
- A serious collision requires emergency help
- Urgent police, fire or medical assistance is needed
Text-to-911 may be used when a person cannot safely make a voice call. A caller who can speak should generally make a regular 911 call because voice communication allows dispatchers to gather information more quickly.
Call 909-986-6711 for non-emergency matters such as:
- A crime discovered after the offender has left
- A delayed theft or burglary report
- Suspicious activity without an immediate threat
- Property damage discovered later
- A stolen vehicle or licence plate
- A report involving a known suspect
- An incident that does not qualify for online reporting
- A request to speak with an officer
Ontario Police Dispatch is staffed 24 hours a day. Dispatchers prioritize calls according to danger, injuries, whether a suspect is present and the possibility of additional harm or property loss.
Ontario Police Geographic Areas
The City of Ontario is divided into three geographic policing areas:
| Area | General policing responsibility |
| West Area | Western neighbourhoods and business areas |
| East Area | Eastern and central-eastern parts of Ontario |
| South Area | Southern Ontario, including developing residential and commercial areas |
Each area has an assigned lieutenant who serves as Area Commander.
The geographic policing programme provides each area with dedicated resources, including:
- Patrol officers and corporals
- Police sergeants
- Traffic officers
- Community Engagement Team officers
- Narcotics investigators
- Detectives
Area Commanders are intended to serve as points of contact for ongoing non-emergency issues affecting neighbourhoods and businesses. Examples include repeated disturbances, quality-of-life concerns, recurring trespassing, graffiti, neighbour disputes and persistent criminal activity.
The three areas are operational police boundaries, not separate public police stations. Residents do not need to know their area before requesting police assistance. Dispatchers use the exact incident address to determine which officers and resources should respond.
Ontario Police Department Divisions
The Ontario Police Department’s main organizational components include:
- Office of the Chief
- Administrative Services
- Airport Operations Bureau
- Field Operations Bureau
- Investigations Bureau
- Special Operations
The Office of the Chief oversees department planning, budgeting, accountability, Internal Affairs, intelligence and public information.
Field Operations Bureau
The Field Operations Bureau includes Patrol and the Crime Suppression Unit.
Patrol officers provide the department’s primary response to emergency and non-emergency calls. Their duties may include:
- Protecting victims and injured people
- Securing crime scenes
- Searching for suspects
- Interviewing victims and witnesses
- Collecting preliminary evidence
- Preparing initial police reports
- Enforcing criminal and traffic laws
- Conducting preventive patrols
- Addressing recurring neighbourhood problems
Patrol resources can be adjusted according to crime patterns, calls for service, major events and community needs.
The Crime Suppression Unit focuses on criminal activity and quality-of-life concerns requiring concentrated enforcement or problem-solving.
Investigations Bureau
The Investigations Bureau conducts follow-up work on cases that require more investigation after the initial patrol response.
Its principal components include:
- Detective Bureau
- Forensic Services
- Property and Evidence
- Real Time Information Center
Detectives may investigate:
- Homicide
- Robbery
- Serious assault
- Sexual offences
- Child and elder abuse
- Domestic violence
- Burglary
- Vehicle theft
- Fraud and identity theft
- Missing-person cases
- Gang and narcotics offences
- Financial and digital crimes
Not every police report is automatically assigned to a detective. Assignment may depend on the seriousness of the crime, available evidence, identified suspects and the presence of workable investigative leads.
The Real Time Information Center supports officers and investigators by using available camera information, police databases, drone resources and analytical tools to improve situational awareness and police response.
Special Operations
Special Operations includes several units requiring advanced equipment, training or coordinated deployment.
Its functions include:
- Air Support
- Patrol canine teams
- Career Criminal Division
- Community Engagement Team
- Community Oriented Action Team
- Multi-Engagement Team
- SWAT
- Traffic Division
The department’s Air Support Unit operates police helicopters throughout the year. The aircraft assist patrol officers, detectives, SWAT personnel and forensic investigators during searches, pursuits, major incidents and other operations.
Traffic Division
The Traffic Division is responsible for:
- Traffic-law enforcement
- Fatal and injury collision investigations
- Hit-and-run investigations
- Commercial-vehicle enforcement
- Suspected insurance-fraud cases
- Impaired-driving enforcement
- Traffic checkpoints
- Illegal street-racing enforcement
- Traffic control at parades and sporting events
- Public traffic-safety education
Traffic officers use motorcycles and other specialized vehicles to enforce laws and respond to collisions.
A collision occurring on a California state freeway may fall under the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol rather than Ontario Police. The exact location of the collision determines which agency should take the report.
Ontario International Airport Policing
The Ontario Police Department has a dedicated Airport Operations Bureau responsible for law-enforcement services at Ontario International Airport.
Airport police responsibilities may include:
- Responding to crimes and emergencies
- Terminal and roadway patrol
- Traffic control
- Airport security support
- Investigating theft and property offences
- Coordinating with federal agencies
- Canine explosive-detection services
- Supporting emergency and major-incident operations
Some airport incidents may also involve Transportation Security Administration personnel, airport authorities or federal law-enforcement agencies. However, ordinary crimes occurring at the airport can generally be reported to Ontario Police.
What County Is the Ontario Police Department In?
The Ontario Police Department is located in San Bernardino County, California.
Its regular jurisdiction is based on Ontario city limits rather than the entire county. OPD and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are separate law-enforcement agencies.
Ontario police officers provide municipal policing within Ontario, including Ontario International Airport. The Sheriff’s Department:
- Operates county detention facilities
- Provides law enforcement in unincorporated areas
- Supplies court security
- Serves civil and court documents
- Performs countywide specialized duties
Nearby cities such as Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Montclair, Chino and Fontana have their own police or contract law-enforcement services.
A postal address containing “Ontario” does not always prove that the property is within Ontario city limits. The exact location where the incident occurred determines which agency should take the report.
Filing an Ontario Police Report
A police report may be initiated by:
- Calling 911 for an emergency
- Calling 909-986-6711 for non-emergency assistance
- Visiting the Police Department
- Using the online Citizen Police Reporting System
The online reporting system accepts selected incidents involving:
- Harassing telephone calls
- Lost property
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Vehicle burglary
- Vehicle tampering
- Child-custody violations
To use online reporting:
- The incident must have occurred within Ontario city limits
- It must not be an emergency
- The reporting person must have a valid email address
- The incident must not have occurred on a freeway
- The suspect must not be known
- The report must not involve theft of an entire vehicle
- The report must not involve theft of a licence plate
A person who knows the suspect’s name, has identifying information or is reporting a stolen vehicle or plate should call 909-986-6711 instead.
After submitting an online report, the person receives a temporary report number and can print a temporary copy. Department personnel review the report and later send a permanent case number and printable report by email.
Obtaining a Police Report
The Records Bureau handles police-report requests at the department’s Front Desk.
- Ontario Police Department Records Bureau
- 2500 South Archibald Avenue
- Ontario, CA 91761
- Telephone: 909-395-2001
The current standard fee for a Police Records Division report is $35. A CAD incident record currently costs $10.
Fees for reports, photographs, recordings and other reproductions may be waived for minors, affected victims or immediate family members requesting records on their behalf.
A requester should provide:
- Police case number
- Incident date and time
- Exact location
- Names of involved people
- Type of report requested
- Valid photo identification
- Proof of authorization when requesting for another person
Some reports may be withheld or partly redacted because of:
- An active investigation
- Juvenile information
- Victim privacy
- Witness safety
- Medical information
- Confidential investigative details
- Pending criminal proceedings
Most hard-copy police reports are retained for five years, although selected records are retained permanently.
Obtaining a Traffic Collision Report
Traffic collision reports may be requested through Ontario Police Records or the department’s authorized online traffic-report service.
The requester should have:
- Police report number
- Date of collision
- Exact location
- Name of an involved driver
- Vehicle information
A collision report may not be available immediately. The officer must complete, review and submit it before Records personnel can release a copy.
Fatal crashes, serious-injury collisions, hit-and-run cases and suspected criminal collisions may take longer because additional investigation is required.
Property and Evidence
The Property and Evidence Division is located at:
- Ontario Police Property and Evidence Division
- 2500 South Archibald Avenue
- Ontario, CA 91761
- Telephone: 909-408-1982
The unit maintains:
- Crime-scene evidence
- Found property
- Recovered stolen property
- Items held for safekeeping
- Seized property
- Property awaiting court proceedings
The division receives thousands of items each year and maintains the chain of custody required for criminal investigations and court proceedings.
Evidence cannot normally be released until the assigned detective, prosecutor or court removes the hold.
A person seeking property should provide:
- Government-issued identification
- Police report number
- Proof of ownership
- Investigator authorization when required
- Court documents when applicable
- Written authorization when collecting for another person
Firearms require additional California Department of Justice clearance and legal documentation before they can be returned.
Towed, Impounded and Recovered Vehicles
The Records Bureau handles releases for stored, impounded and recovered vehicles.
The registered owner should generally bring:
- Valid photo identification
- Current registration or proof of ownership
- A valid driver’s licence
- Proof of insurance when required
- Payment for applicable police-release charges
- Authorization documents when another person is collecting the vehicle
Police release charges are separate from towing and storage fees charged by the towing company.
A vehicle connected with a criminal investigation cannot be released until the police hold is removed. The owner should contact the investigating officer or Records Bureau before visiting the tow yard.
Weekend Front Desk hours are primarily intended for vehicle-release transactions.
Complaints About Ontario Police Conduct
The Office of the Chief includes the department’s Internal Affairs function.
A complaint about an Ontario police officer or employee can be started by:
- Calling the Front Desk at 909-395-2001
- Calling dispatch at 909-986-6711 and requesting a supervisor
- Visiting the Police Department
- Submitting a written complaint to the Chief of Police
- Speaking with an on-duty watch commander or police supervisor
Written complaints may be addressed to:
- Chief of Police
- Ontario Police Department
- 2500 South Archibald Avenue
- Ontario, CA 91761
Useful complaint information includes:
- Incident date and approximate time
- Exact location
- Officer’s name or badge number
- Police vehicle information
- Report, citation or call number
- Names of witnesses
- Photographs, audio or video
- A clear description of what occurred
The officer’s name is helpful but not essential. The incident date, location, employee description and police vehicle information may help the department identify the person involved.
A person making a complaint should keep copies of submitted forms, documents, photographs and correspondence. The complaint process is separate from filing a criminal report or requesting compensation from the city.
Ontario Police Temporary Detention
Ontario Police maintains a police lockup or temporary detention function for people arrested and processed by the department.
A person arrested by Ontario Police may be:
- Booked and temporarily detained at the police facility
- Released with a citation
- Released after posting bail
- Taken to court
- Transferred to a San Bernardino County jail
The department’s detention standards include a zero-tolerance policy concerning sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Concerns involving the safety of a detainee may be reported through dispatch at 909-986-6711 or the department’s PREA reporting line at 909-408-1819.
San Bernardino County Jail Information
Ontario Police does not operate the San Bernardino County jail system. County jails are managed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
A person arrested in Ontario and requiring continued detention may be transferred to:
- West Valley Detention Center
- 9500 Etiwanda Avenue
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
- Public information: 909-350-2476
The actual detention facility may depend on classification, medical needs, court arrangements and available space.
The Sheriff’s Department inmate locator can be used to find:
- Current detention location
- Booking number
- Housing information
- Visiting information
- Available custody details
A person may not appear immediately in the online locator while transportation and booking are being completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Ontario Police Department does this guide cover?
A: This guide covers the Ontario Police Department in Ontario, California. It does not refer to police services in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Q: What is the Ontario Police non-emergency number?
A: Call 909-986-6711 for non-emergency police assistance. The line operates 24 hours a day.
Q: Does Ontario have several police precinct stations?
A: No. Public police services are mainly provided from headquarters at 2500 South Archibald Avenue. West, East and South are geographic policing areas rather than separate public precinct buildings.
Q: Can I file an Ontario police report online?
A: Yes, selected non-emergency reports can be filed online when the incident occurred within Ontario, the suspect is unknown and the matter does not involve a stolen vehicle or licence plate.
Q: Can I report a stolen vehicle online?
A: No. Call 909-986-6711 to report theft of an entire vehicle. Call 911 when the theft is happening or the suspect remains nearby.
Q: Can I report a stolen licence plate online?
A: No. Stolen licence plates require direct police reporting through 909-986-6711.
Q: Can I file online when I know the suspect?
A: No. Knowing the suspect’s name or having information that identifies the suspect disqualifies the incident from online reporting.
Q: Can I report a freeway collision to Ontario Police?
A: Crashes on California state freeways are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol. Call 911 when there is an emergency and let dispatch determine the appropriate agency.
Q: Does Ontario Police serve Ontario International Airport?
A: Yes. OPD has a dedicated Airport Operations Bureau responsible for policing the airport.
Q: Can a visitor file an Ontario police report?
A: Yes. A person does not need to live in Ontario to report a crime that occurred within city limits. Visitors should provide permanent contact details and retain the report number.
Q: Does an Ontario mailing address always fall under OPD?
A: No. Some addresses near city boundaries may use Ontario as the mailing city while falling under another police or sheriff’s jurisdiction.
Q: How much does an Ontario police report cost?
A: The current standard Records Division police-report fee is $35. Fees may be waived for qualifying victims, minors and immediate family members.
Q: Can I receive a report immediately?
A: Not always. The report must be completed and reviewed, and some records require legal redaction or investigative approval before release.
Q: Can someone else collect my property?
A: Possibly. The representative may need written authorization, valid identification and proof of legal authority. Evidence also requires investigator or court approval.
Q: How do I recover a police-towed vehicle?
A: Contact Records at 909-395-2001. Bring identification, ownership documents and any other required vehicle paperwork. Towing and storage fees are paid separately to the tow company.
Q: Does Ontario Police operate a jail?
A: Ontario Police has a temporary police detention or lockup function. People requiring continued custody are generally transferred to a San Bernardino County detention facility.
Q: How do I locate someone arrested by Ontario Police?
A: For a recent arrest, call Ontario Police at 909-395-2001. After county transfer, use the San Bernardino County inmate locator or call 909-350-2476.
Q: Do I need the officer’s name to make a complaint?
A: No. Provide the incident date, time, location, officer description, vehicle details and any report or citation number.
Q: Can Ontario Police take a report for an incident in Rancho Cucamonga or Upland?
A: Normally not. The law-enforcement agency responsible for the location where the incident occurred should generally take the report.