Chino Police Department

If a loved one, a family member or you have been arrested by or are being investigated by the Chino Police Department / San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department operating in Chino, it can cause a lot of worries, mostly just from fear of the unknown of what will happen or can happen.  Moreover, one is dependent upon the competence, honesty and accuracy of a police officer, who may or may not be experienced or have the same sense of urgency as you in having the police report properly written.  

Facing such a situation, knowing the bail amount (if any) associated with the offense or offenses at issue if police deny an own recognizance (OR) release may help relieve one’s uncertainty.  It is also good to know what evidence is needed to convict one for the crime or crimes that allegedly took place, the defenses possible and the sentence a judge can impose if one is convicted of the crime or crimes.  

We at Greg Hill & Associates believe it is prudent to know a few more things before interacting with any branch of law enforcement.  It can be helpful to know the size of the police or sheriff’s department, the area’s demographics, a bit of history about the town, city or area, and the most common types of crimes the department investigates to make one’s communication with law enforcement more meaningful, more savvy and perhaps, more respectful.  This can lead to a better outcome than if one lacks such perspective and makes assumptions that may be wrong.

This article is presented with these goals in mind.

The Chino Police Department is located at 5450 Guardian Way in Chino.  It is a large station, with over 150 sworn officers and professional support staff.  While the exact number of sworn officers is unknown, we would estimate it to be about 105 and there to be forty-five support staff.

The City of Chino is 29.70 square miles and has a population of 91,403 as of the 2020 census.

For arrests along the 60, 71 and 83 freeways crossing Chino, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will normally handle this work, although one may be thereafter transported to the Chino Police Department for processing, a breath test (if a DUI) and booking.  The person may also be held at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga before posting bail or being taken to court.

As of 2010, Chino’s population was 20.60% non-Hispanic white, 18.88% Asian, 5.60% African American and 51.25% Hispanic.

The dairy industry in Chino flourished from the 1950’s through the 1980’s, with dairy-friendly zoning in the southwest corner of San Bernardino County encouraging many ethnic Dutch families to locate there and become the cornerstone of the industry.  Chino's large, highly efficient dairies made it the largest milk-producing community in the nation's largest milk-producing state.

Most cases arising out of the Chino Police Department’s areas of responsibility are brought at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse to its north, but some are also brought at the San Bernardino Hall of Justice at 4100 Main Street in downtown San Bernardino.  Cases that may be filed at the San Bernardino Hall of Justice instead of at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse would be very serious cases needing specialized prosecutors trained in handling such cases.

Over the last 25 years, our office has handled perhaps twenty cases arising out of Chino and prosecuted at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse.  Such cases have included DUI, shoplifting, unlawful possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a controlled substance, domestic violence and several post-conviction motions.  

However, we have received phone calls from people in Chino asking about hiring a criminal defense attorney.  We find that locals to the Chino often distrust local criminal defense attorneys as being social friends with prosecutors and judges, so they are unwilling to fight too hard to preserve their friendships, so we are considered as counsel instead because we are not located in Chino and presumably have no such ties or loyalties.

Areas Served:  City of Chino

Below is the Google Map to the Chino Police Department.