Merced Police Department

This morning, our department had the opportunity to participate in Career Day at Community Day School, and it was an amazing experience connecting with the students!

Our staff enjoyed sharing information about law enforcement, answering questions, and encouraging students to explore future career opportunities. The students brought great energy and curiosity throughout the event and of course, the cool robot pet definitely stole the show!

Thank you to Community Day School for inviting us to be part of such a fun and engaging morning. We always appreciate opportunities to build positive connections with our youth and community.

The Merced Police Department lobby is CLOSED today! All other Police services will operate as normal to serve the community.

Call 911 for emergencies and (209) 385-6905 for non-emergency police services.

The Merced Police Department lobby will resume regular hours on 5/26/26.

For Immediate Release
5/24/2026

Contact: Sergeant Nathan McKinnon [email protected]

Merced Police Department Holding DUI Checkpoint 5/24/2026

Merced, Calif. – On 5/24/2026 , the Merced Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6 P.M. to 2 A.M. at an undisclosed location in the City of Merced

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sergeant Nathan McKinnon said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

Merced Police Dept reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational ma*****na are legal, driving under the influence of ma*****na is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Community Reminder:
Our lobby will be closed tomorrow, 05/25/26 in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen on 5/26/26.

-For emergencies, please call 911.
-For non-emergency matters, you can still contact us at our non-emergency number (209) 385-6905.

As National Police Week comes to a close, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported our staff throughout the week.

Your kindness, donations, and encouragement meant so much to the men and women of the Merced Police Department. Police Week is a time to honor those who serve and remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, and your support helped make this past week especially meaningful for our department.

A special thank you to our generous community partners and supporters:

• Merced Police Explorers
• Montalvo’s Dismantle
• Islamic Center of Merced
• Transcounty Title Co
• Hansen Tire
• La Bendita Taco
• Raley’s
• Olive Garden
• Nom Nom Bakery
• Summit Church
• Joe Stefani and Leader One Financial
• H&W Family Drive-In
• Thomas and Sarah Barnell
• L. Martinelli Farms
and Applebee's

Thank you for supporting our staff, uplifting our department, and standing alongside us as we continue serving the Merced community. We truly appreciate each and every one of you.

This morning, the Merced Police Department, alongside our local law enforcement partners, proudly participated in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics!

The Law enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is dedicated to supporting Special Olympics through fundraising, community engagement, and raising public awareness, all while helping enhance the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Our officers had an incredible time participating in this year’s event and showing support for such an inspiring cause. Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer on the runners and support the mission. We look forward to seeing even more community members join us next year!

The Merced Police Department proudly congratulates SRO Trevino on being named SRO of the year by El Capitan High School!

Officer Trevino’s dedication to building strong relationships and helping to create a safe learning environment has made a significant impact on the students and staff of El Capitan High School. This recognition is a reflection of his professionalism, compassion, and commitment to service.

We are honored to have SRO Trevino representing the Merced Police Department and serving the students and staff of El Capitan High School.

Congratulations to Officer Trevino on this well-deserved award!!

The 2026 Merced County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Ceremony brought together law enforcement agencies from across Merced County to recognize the outstanding men and women who go above and beyond in service to our communities.

Congratulations to our Merced Police Department Officer of the Year, Arturo Dehoyos, for this well-deserved recognition. Officer Dehoyos continually demonstrates dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community each and every day.

The evening also honored recipients from agencies throughout the county, including local law enforcement departments. Thank you to all who serve and protect our communities with pride and dedication. Job well done to all of this year’s honorees!

Yesterday we pause to honor the brave officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their courage, dedication, and selfless service will never be forgotten. We stand together in remembrance of these heroes and in support of the families, friends, and fellow officers who continue to carry their legacy forward. May we always honor their commitment to protecting our community.