El Monte Police Department

If you, a family member or a loved one is under investigation or arrested by the El Monte Police Department, it is only natural that you may need to know what bail amount is associated with the offense, the factual and legal requirements to prove the crime took place, the defenses that are possible and the potential punishment a judge can order if one is convicted of the crime. 

Criminal cases involving arrests are filed at the El Monte Superior Court or at the Clara Shortridge Foltz criminal courts building (CCB) in downtown Los Angeles.

We at Greg Hill & Associates believe it is also helpful for one to know a few more things before interacting with any police or sheriff’s department.  It is prudent to know the size of the police department, the demographics of the city, the most frequent types of crime the department investigates and just a bit about the city’s history 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.

This article is presented for the reader with this goal in mind.

The El Monte jail visitation hours are 7 days a week from noon to 2 p.m.  It is recommended to call 626-580-2112 before arriving for a visit.  Visits are on a first come, first serve basis.

Inmates are allowed only two visitors per day, if time and visitor volume allows.  All visitors are checked for warrants and criminal history.  No items, including cell phones, are allowed into the visiting area.  Persons currently on probation/parole may not visit an inmate.  A victim of a crime may not visit inmates connected to the crime for which the inmate is currently incarcerated.

The El Monte Police Department has sixty-seven sworn police officers to prevent crime and enforce law in the City of El Monte, which is 9.7 square miles (the City of South El Monte is a separate city patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Temple Station at 626-285-7171).  This is a relatively low number of police officers for a city of such size, as compared to other cities within Los Angeles County.  The police department includes a K-9 unit. 

The El Monte Police Department uses Ford Explorers and Crown Victoria patrol units. They have a choice of less lethal tools that include pepper ball launchers, tasers, 40mm projectile launchers, and beanbag shotguns.  In addition, they are issued a Benelli 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun and can check out an AR-15 rifle.

To obtain a copy of a police report from the El Monte Police Department you must come to the Police Lobby and fill out a Request for A Police Report form.  There is no fee for such a report.  Generally, a police report will be ready for release in approximately ten (10) business days after the crime, however under certain conditions a report may be delayed or not available for release for valid reasons such as to safeguard or not compromise an ongoing investigation. 

Certain reports, particularly those involving juveniles and sex offenses, are considered confidential and may not be released.  Reports may only be released via the El Monte Police Records Bureau.  Any questions regarding the release of reports may be directed to the Records Bureau at (626) 580-2115.

The most common crimes reported in El Monte, as of June 2024, are assaults (244), followed by larceny (186), followed by vandalism (144) and drug and narcotics violations (141).  There are more burglaries (67) than automobile thefts (64).  Fridays and Saturdays are the most common days of the week for any crime to be reported.

El Monte Flores, also known as EMF, is a Mexican American criminal street gang based in El Monte, California.  It is the largest Hispanic gang in the San Gabriel Valley and one of the oldest in Los Angeles County.  Graffiti with the letters EMF is visible on almost every freeway in the Los Angeles County area.  The gang claims South El Monte, El Monte, North El Monte, and Mayflower Village as its turf.  The gang's name comes from the Barrio Las Flores, named for the flower field & nurseries in the El Monte area.

El Monte Flores is now part of a larger organization and pays "taxes" or "tribute" to the Mexican Mafia, or "La eMe," a powerful prison-based gang who controls the majority of Latino gangs in Southern California.

For more information about being arrested and possibly facing a criminal case, please click on the following articles:

Below is the Google Map to the El  Monte Police Department.