Berkeley Police Department

Congratulations to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Center’s 185th Academy graduates. Today marks the beginning of a career built on service, leadership, and dedication. We are proud of your hard work and excited to see you help keep communities across the Bay Area safe. Stay strong, stay committed, and lead with integrity.

Coffee with a Cop on May 20 ☕👮 Please join us for Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, May 20th at Berkeley CareBridge (1761 University Avenue). We will be in front of the building from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Stop by for a free cup of coffee and conversation with local officers and community members. We look forward to seeing you there!

Yesterday morning, members of the Berkeley Police Department attended the Alameda County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony to honor the law enforcement officers who gave their lives in service to their communities. We were especially honored to be joined by the family of Berkeley Police Sergeant Jimmie Rutledge, who was killed in the line of duty in 1973. Their presence served as a powerful reminder that the sacrifice of our fallen officers is never forgotten. The Berkeley Police Department remains committed to honoring the legacy and service of our fallen officers and all peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. #NeverForget #PeaceOfficersMemorial

Ride Safe on the Roads: NHTSA Urges Bicyclists to Practice Safe Habits From children riding to school to older adults staying active and healthy, bicycling is both a pastime and a mode of transportation for thousands of Americans. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe. It takes drivers and bicyclists alike to ensure safety on the roads. Read more: https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/news/ride-safe-roads-nhtsa-urges-bicyclists-practice-safe-habits

Berkeley Police Holding Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation during the month of May Berkeley Police will have extra officers on patrol during the month of May, looking specifically for violations made by drivers and motorcycle riders. The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common factor, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state. To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding: Drivers • Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots. • Use your signal when changing lanes. • Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance. • When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning. Motorcyclists • Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear. • Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you. • Always keep your lights on, even during the day. • Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles. • Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Kids, parents, or fans of trucks can attend a Saturday celebration showcasing the work of those who maintain Berkeley’s streets, sewers, and parks – and the vehicles they use to get the job done. Climb into the driver’s seat of a garbage truck. See inside a storm drain using a closed-circuit camera. Learn how a Vactor truck sucks up sludge. Come see excavators, traffic sign trucks, and more. You can also come to the event to learn about a wide variety of City services, volunteer opportunities, or strategies to reduce landfill waste in your home or workplace. Berkeleyans of all ages are welcome at the event. Get a tour of Strawberry Creek Park’s culvert. Enjoy breakfast from food trucks and DJ-played music. Come learn about the work it takes to maintain and improve the City’s infrastructure. Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 Time: 9:00am-1:00pm Location: Strawberry Creek Park, 1260 Allston Way 🔗 Get more details by visiting the Community News link in bio and look for the May 6 community message. #cityofberkeley #berkeleyCA #berkeleypov #berkeleycalifornia #localgov #visitberkeley #berkeleylife #berkeley #publicworks #trucks

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities across our nation and here in our own community. We honor the generations who have helped shape our neighborhoods, businesses, public service, and cultural life. We also reaffirm our commitment to building trust, fostering inclusion, and ensuring the safety and dignity of all residents. Our department stands alongside our AAPI community members today and every day. We are dedicated to listening, learning, and working together to create a safer, more connected community for everyone. #AAPIHeritageMonth #StrongerTogether

Good news: this stolen vehicle was safely returned to its owner this afternoon. At about 3:41 pm today, officers received a Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) alert indicating the vehicle had entered Berkeley via College Avenue. It had just been reported stolen out of Oakland earlier in the day. Before attempting a traffic stop, our bike officers got a good look at the driver. When officers attempted a traffic stop shortly thereafter, the driver sped off. While officers did not pursue the vehicle, they saturated the area to look for it—later finding it abandoned on Berkeley Way near Sacramento Street. After searching the area, officers located and arrested the suspect without further incident.

What a Tuesday! Over the course of eight hours, officers received six key Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) alerts—each helping identify suspects and crimes that might otherwise have gone undetected without Flock ALPR technology. These alerts not only supported enforcement within our city, but also contributed to broader regional successes—helping partner agencies recover stolen property, solve cases across jurisdictions, and minimize further victimization in our community and beyond. Here’s the short IG rundown of the day’s activity [see our FaceBook post for the longer post about what happened with each case]: • At 12:07 p.m., officers received an alert about a vehicle stolen out of Fremont entering the city. • Minutes later, another alert flagged a vehicle linked to suspects involved in the theft of more than $6,000 worth of merchandise from a Sunglass Hut in Palo Alto. • At 12:22 p.m., officers were alerted to a vehicle connected to a grand theft at a Macy’s in San Mateo. • At 3:59 p.m., an alert identified a vehicle associated with a grand theft from a jewelry store in Walnut Creek entering the city. • At 4:18 p.m., officers received an alert about a vehicle returning to the city in connection with a mail theft incident in Downtown Berkeley. • Finally, at 8:32 p.m., an alert flagged a vehicle tied to an organized retail theft in Emeryville. Across each of these incidents, ALPR technology played a critical role in enabling swift, coordinated responses—strengthening regional partnerships, improving case outcomes, and helping prevent additional crimes from occurring.

Big smiles, community spirit, and a side of burgers 🍔🐻 Our officers stopped by to celebrate the Downtown Berkeley Shake Shack grand opening—posing with Cal’s beloved mascot and soaking in the excitement with the community. Moments like these remind us that connection goes beyond the badge. #Berkeley #CommunityFirst #ShakeShack #GoBears

Suspect arrested in connection with Felony Hit and Run on Adeline Street On April 15th, officers arrested a 41-year-old Berkeley man in connection with a felony hit and run that occurred earlier this month on Adeline Street. On April 7th at approximately 8:10 p.m., a man was crossing Adeline Street in the northbound marked crosswalk at Harmon Street when he was struck by a driver traveling northbound. The impact threw the victim onto the vehicle’s hood, where he was carried for approximately 125 feet before falling back onto the roadway. The driver did not stop and left the victim with significant head and body injuries. Through witness statements, surveillance footage from the area, along with Flock technology, officers identified the suspect vehicle as a Toyota Camry—registered to a 41-year-old Berkeley man. When officers reviewed the security footage from the suspect’s apartment building parking garage, they spotted the suspect arriving in his vehicle shortly after the collision. Based on this, officers obtained a search and arrest warrant for the suspect for felony Hit and Run. On the evening of April 15th, officers served the search warrant at the suspect’s residence and took him into custody. Although the keys to the suspect’s vehicle were located, the suspect’s vehicle has not yet been located. The vehicle is a Black 2014 Toyota Camry (8GDE554/CA)—with a distinctive strip of tape on the passenger side where the rear bumper seam meets the quarter panel. If you have information about the suspect vehicle’s whereabouts, please contact the Berkeley Police Department at (510) 981-5900. We are grateful to have quickly identified and arrested this driver, and we appreciate the community’s continued support in helping us keep Berkeley safe. Case 2026-00015660

This week, we proudly recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. We extend our sincere thanks to the incredibly talented and dedicated men and women who serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our 911 dispatchers and emergency personnel are the calm voices in critical moments, providing lifesaving support when it matters most. Join us in honoring their commitment, professionalism, and unwavering service to our community.