By Amelia Anderson The San Bernardino Police Department, commonly known as SBPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving the City of San Bernardino, California. It responds to emergency calls, investigates crimes, enforces traffic laws and works with neighbourhoods through community-oriented policing programs.
The city is divided into four geographic police districts: Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western. Each district is managed by a police lieutenant who coordinates patrol resources and addresses local public-safety concerns.
Residents should call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger or urgent police assistance is required. The department’s 24-hour non-emergency number should be used for delayed incidents and situations that do not involve an immediate threat.
San Bernardino Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | San Bernardino Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | SBPD |
| Headquarters address | 710 N. D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency police number | 909-383-5311 |
| Main Police Department number | 909-384-5742 |
| Records Bureau | 909-384-5727 |
| Police Community Affairs | 909-601-4278 |
| Emergency Management | 909-384-5606 |
| Parking and Traffic services | 909-998-3770 |
| Number of police districts | Four |
| Districts | Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western |
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Headquarters lobby hours | Generally 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Central Detention Center | 909-386-0969 |
| Inmate visiting appointments | 909-887-0364 |
San Bernardino Police Department Address
The San Bernardino Police Department is located at: 710 N. D Street, San Bernardino, California 92401
Some city service pages may show the ZIP code as 92410 for the same facility. People mailing important documents should confirm the preferred mailing address with the department.
The headquarters lobby is generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Administrative services may have different hours on Fridays, weekends and public holidays.
The main Police Department number is 909-384-5742. The 24-hour non-emergency number is 909-383-5311.
Call 911 when:
- A crime is currently happening.
- Someone is injured or in immediate danger.
- A firearm or another weapon is involved.
- A suspect is still at or near the scene.
- A serious traffic collision has occurred.
- A child or vulnerable person is missing in dangerous circumstances.
- Immediate police, fire or medical assistance is required.
For a delayed crime, suspicious activity or another situation that does not present an immediate danger, call 909-383-5311.
Important San Bernardino Police Phone Numbers
| Police service | Phone number |
| Emergency assistance | 911 |
| Non-emergency police dispatch | 909-383-5311 |
| Main Police Department | 909-384-5742 |
| Records Bureau | 909-384-5727 |
| Police Community Affairs | 909-601-4278 |
| Emergency Management | 909-384-5606 |
| Parking and Traffic services | 909-998-3770 |
| City general information | 909-998-2000 |
| Central Detention Center | 909-386-0969 |
| Jail visiting appointments | 909-887-0364 |
| Bail information | 909-350-2476 |
Specialised telephone numbers are mainly intended for records, administrative assistance, appointments and case follow-up. New crimes should normally be reported through 911, non-emergency dispatch or the department’s online reporting system.
San Bernardino Police Districts
San Bernardino is divided into four major geographic police districts.
| Police district | General responsibility |
| Eastern District | Patrol and community-policing services in eastern San Bernardino |
| Northern District | Patrol and community-policing services in northern San Bernardino |
| Southern District | Patrol and community-policing services in southern San Bernardino |
| Western District | Patrol and community-policing services in western San Bernardino |
Each district is commanded by a police lieutenant. District commanders work with patrol officers, neighbourhood groups, businesses and city departments to address crime trends and recurring local concerns.
San Bernardino does not maintain four separate full-service public precinct buildings. The district system is mainly an operational and command structure, while most public services are provided through Police Headquarters.
Residents do not need to know their district before requesting an officer. They should provide the dispatcher with the exact incident address. Police will determine the correct district and available patrol unit.
District boundaries may not follow ZIP codes, neighbourhood names or City Council wards. The location where the incident occurred determines which command handles it.
Patrol and Field Operations
Patrol officers provide the department’s primary frontline police services. They are assigned to geographic districts and respond to calls throughout the city.
Their responsibilities include:
- Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls
- Conducting preliminary criminal investigations
- Enforcing traffic laws
- Handling domestic disturbances
- Investigating suspicious activity
- Conducting welfare checks
- Searching for missing people
- Responding to vehicle collisions
- Making arrests
- Providing visible neighbourhood patrol
A patrol officer normally completes the initial police report and collects immediately available information. A serious or complex case may later be assigned to a detective or specialised investigative unit.
Criminal Investigations
SBPD detectives handle cases requiring additional investigation after the initial patrol response.
Investigative responsibilities may include:
- Homicide
- Robbery
- Serious assault
- Sexual offences
- Crimes against children
- Domestic violence
- Burglary
- Property crime
- Auto theft
- Financial crime
- Missing-person cases
- Gang and narcotics offences
Detectives may interview victims and witnesses, review security video, examine digital records, obtain search warrants and work with prosecutors to prepare criminal cases.
A victim contacting an investigator should keep the police report number available. The number helps department personnel identify the case and assigned detective.
Specialised Police Services
San Bernardino Police maintains specialised personnel for incidents requiring additional training, equipment or investigative experience.
These functions may include:
- Traffic enforcement
- Serious collision investigation
- K-9 operations
- Tactical response
- Gang investigations
- Narcotics investigations
- Crime-scene processing
- Community affairs
- School and youth programs
- Emergency management
- Crime analysis
- Parking enforcement
The Police Community Affairs Office works with residents, schools, businesses and neighbourhood groups. It helps organise crime-prevention activities and communication between the department and the public.
What County Is San Bernardino Police Department In?
The San Bernardino Police Department is located in San Bernardino County, California.
SBPD’s regular jurisdiction is based on the incorporated City of San Bernardino rather than the entire county.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is a separate agency. It operates county jails, serves courts and provides law-enforcement services in unincorporated areas and communities that contract with the Sheriff’s Department.
Nearby cities such as Colton, Highland, Rialto, Fontana, Redlands and Loma Linda have their own police departments or separate law-enforcement arrangements.
The California Highway Patrol generally handles traffic enforcement and collisions on state highways and freeways. Certain schools, colleges, transportation properties and federal facilities may also have separate police agencies.
Call 911 during an emergency so dispatchers can identify and send the correct agency.
How to File an Online Police Report
SBPD directs non-emergency police reports through its online reporting system when the situation qualifies.
The incident must generally have occurred within San Bernardino city limits and must not be an active life-threatening emergency.
Online report categories include:
- Harassing telephone calls
- Home burglary
- Vehicle burglary
- Court-order violations
- Child-custody order violations
- Non-injury hit-and-run crashes
- Non-injury traffic collisions
- Identity theft
- Lost or missing property
- Theft
- Attempted theft
- Vandalism
- Vehicle tampering
- Defrauding an innkeeper
- Threats
- Trespassing
- Courtesy reports
The reporting person must provide valid identification and an email address. Known suspect information should be included in the report narrative.
Online reporting should not be used when:
- The incident is an emergency.
- Someone is in immediate danger.
- The crime is still happening.
- The incident occurred outside the City of San Bernardino.
- Urgent evidence collection is required.
- Immediate police attendance is necessary.
Call 911 for emergencies. Call 909-384-5742 or 909-383-5311 when the online system is not appropriate.
Reporting a Stolen Vehicle
A stolen motor vehicle should be reported promptly so its information can be entered into law-enforcement databases.
The registered owner should provide:
- Vehicle identification number
- Licence plate number
- Year, make and model
- Vehicle colour
- Registered owner’s details
- Location where it was last seen
- Approximate time of disappearance
- Information about available keys
Before reporting a vehicle stolen, check whether it was legally towed, repossessed or moved by another authorised person.
Call 911 when the theft is happening, violence was involved or the suspect remains nearby. Otherwise, contact the Police Department through its regular reporting number.
Obtaining Police and Accident Reports
The Records Bureau can be contacted at 909-384-5727.
A request for a police report should include:
- Police report or case number
- Incident date
- Exact location
- Names of involved people
- Type of incident
- Requester’s contact details
- Copy of identification when required
Not every police report is available to every requester. Access may depend on whether the person is a victim, involved party, legal representative, insurance company or other authorised requester.
Information may be removed or withheld when a report involves:
- Juveniles
- Protected victims
- Confidential witnesses
- Medical information
- Active investigations
- Information restricted by California law
Traffic collision reports may take several business days to become available because the investigating officer must complete and approve the report.
Broader requests for city documents, police video, emails or other public records may need to be submitted through the city’s public-records process.
Property and Evidence Retrieval
Property collected by SBPD may include evidence, found property, safekeeping property and items taken during an arrest.
A person seeking property should contact the Police Department before visiting. The department may require an appointment or authorisation from the assigned investigator.
The owner should have:
- Government-issued photo identification
- Police case number
- Property receipt
- Proof of ownership
- Investigator or court release when required
Evidence cannot normally be released while it is needed for an active investigation, prosecution or court proceeding.
Firearms and certain regulated property may require additional legal checks before release.
Towed and Impounded Vehicles
A vehicle may be towed after an arrest, collision, parking violation, licence-related offence, abandonment or criminal investigation.
A person whose vehicle is missing should call 909-383-5311 and provide:
- Licence plate number
- Vehicle identification number
- Vehicle make, model and colour
- Registered owner’s name
- Location where it was parked
- Approximate time it disappeared
Police personnel can determine whether the vehicle was towed and identify the towing company and storage location.
To retrieve a vehicle, the registered owner generally needs:
- Valid photo identification
- Current registration or proof of ownership
- Proof of insurance
- A valid driving licence or licensed driver
- Payment of applicable administrative, towing and storage charges
A vehicle held as criminal evidence cannot be released until the assigned officer or investigator removes the police hold.
San Bernardino Police and County Jail Services
SBPD officers make arrests, but the Police Department does not operate the county jail system.
People arrested by SBPD may be booked at the:
Central Detention Center
630 E. Rialto Avenue
San Bernardino, California 92415
The facility’s telephone number is 909-386-0969.
The Central Detention Center is operated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. It serves as an important booking facility for law-enforcement agencies operating in the county’s eastern valley area.
The Sheriff’s Department also operates:
- West Valley Detention Center
- Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center
- High Desert Detention Center
People can use the county inmate locator to search by name or booking number. Visiting appointments can be scheduled through the inmate locator or by calling 909-887-0364 during the designated appointment hours.
A recently arrested person may not appear immediately while identification, medical screening and booking procedures are being completed.
Complaints About San Bernardino Police Employees
A complaint may be filed by any person who believes that an SBPD employee engaged in misconduct.
Complaints can be submitted:
- In person at the Police Department
- By telephone
- In writing
- Through the department’s complaint form
A useful complaint should include:
- Incident date and time
- Exact location
- Employee’s name or badge number, when known
- Police report number
- Witness information
- Photographs or recordings
- A clear explanation of what happened
A watch commander or field supervisor may initially receive the complaint. More complex matters may be forwarded to the Professional Standards Bureau for investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many police districts does San Bernardino have?
San Bernardino has four geographic police districts: Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western.
Q2. Can I file a San Bernardino police report online?
Yes. SBPD requires many non-emergency reports to be submitted through its online system. Emergencies and active dangerous situations must be reported through 911.
Q3. Does San Bernardino Police operate the county jail?
No. San Bernardino County detention facilities are operated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Q4. How can I find out whether my vehicle was towed?
Call 909-383-5311 with the licence plate number, VIN and registered owner’s information. Police can identify the towing company and storage location.
Q5. Can SBPD take a report for an incident outside San Bernardino city limits?
Generally, no. Reports should be filed with the agency responsible for the location where the incident occurred. Call 911 during an emergency so the request can be routed correctly.