The Troubling Record of Sheriff Chad Bianco
- Elisa Ballard
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a 30-year veteran of law enforcement, announced his candidacy for California governor on February 17, 2025. This move came as his department faces questions about crime-solving rates, jail conditions, and legal challenges. Residents and officials are watching closely, as these issues could impact public safety and taxpayer resources in one of California's largest counties.
Background on Bianco's Tenure - Bianco was elected in November 2018 and took office on January 1, 2019. He won re-election in 2022, with his term extended to 2029 due to a state law aligning sheriff elections with presidential cycles. As sheriff, he oversees policing in unincorporated areas and contracted cities, managing a department with significant responsibilities for community safety.
Crime Clearance Rates Lag Behind State Averages - Under Bianco's leadership, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) has reported low clearance rates for major crimes from 2019 to 2024.
Overall Part I clearance rate: 9.2% (last among California's 57 sheriff departments).
Violent crime clearance rate: 41.4% (sixth-worst).
Property crime clearance rate: 4.4% (fifth-worst).
This matters because unsolved crimes can erode public trust and leave communities vulnerable. For comparison, neighboring San Bernardino County cleared 26.1% of Part I crimes, 58.6% of violent crimes, and 10.1% of property crimes—nearly three times Riverside's overall rate in some categories.
Rising Concerns Over Jail Safety - Riverside County jails have seen elevated levels of violence, including inmate homicides and in-custody deaths, from 2020 to 2023. The facilities recorded the highest homicide rate among large California jails, with six homicides tied to issues like improper cell assignments and delayed responses. In 2022, the death rate ranked second-highest in the state and nationally among the 15 largest U.S. jail systems—more than twice that of systems in Chicago, Philadelphia, or Dallas.
"These statistics highlight the need for better oversight," said Mike Males, a senior research fellow at the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, in a report critiquing the department's performance. This connects to local residents, as families have raised alarms about safety for detained loved ones.
Here's what it means for residents: Higher violence rates strain resources and could lead to more lawsuits, affecting county budgets.
2020 Protest Response Draws Criticism - On June 1, 2020, during a George Floyd protest in downtown Riverside, videos showed Bianco and deputies kneeling with demonstrators in a moment of solidarity. Protesters can be heard saying, "Take the knee." However, Bianco later described the action as "praying with the protesters." Videos, reported by outlets like FOX 11 and ABC7, show no audible prayers or gestures like bowed heads. This has sparked debate about transparency in public interactions.
Claims Around Thwarted Assassination Attempt - On October 12, 2024, deputies arrested Las Vegas resident Vem Miller at a checkpoint near a Donald Trump rally in Coachella. Miller, a self-described Trump supporter and documentary filmmaker, had firearms in his vehicle, which he disclosed to deputies. He claimed the guns were for surveillance work on ballot trafficking and recorded the interaction. Released on bail without FBI or Secret Service interrogation, Miller was later named in media as a suspected assassin.
The next day, Bianco held a press conference, stating deputies "probably stopped another assassination attempt." Federal authorities quickly clarified there was no evidence of a threat to Trump. Miller filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Bianco and the county, alleging reputational harm and repeated requests for bodycam footage that went unanswered.
Ongoing Lawsuits Against RCSD - The department faces several civil suits related to jail conditions, transparency, and operations:
A December 5, 2025, Public Records Act case by the First Amendment Coalition over withheld coroner's reports on in-custody deaths.
A May-June 2025 class action challenging pre-arraignment cash bail practices, which proceeded after a judge overruled a demurrer in October 2025.
A July 2025 whistleblower retaliation suit by former jail commander Victoria Flores, alleging cover-ups of abuse and corruption amid a U.S. Department of Justice probe into jail deaths (ongoing since 2023).
Multiple wrongful death cases, including filings in September and October 2025 stemming from high in-custody death rates and alleged negligence.
A September 2025 suit by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck alleging Bianco violated laws against political activities in uniform.
These cases underscore accountability concerns for taxpayers, as settlements have drawn from public funds.
Budget and Spending Questions - On June 25, 2024, the Board of Supervisors ratified $13.6 million in projects for fiscal year 2023-24, including facility upgrades. Some costs have raised eyebrows:
New coroner's door: $33,000.
Walk-in freezer installation (bundled with painting and carpeting): $536,261.
Bathroom upgrades at Ben Clark Training Center: $912,890.
Security booth redesign: $1.9 million.
Clerical office remodel: $287,000.
Dispatch office remodel: $132,000.
A January 14, 2025, approval added $2.7 million for other items. These are listed on the county's website (rivcocob.org). Bianco's base salary rose to $347,772 in 2024 (from $273,463), with 2023 total compensation at $593,518—one of California's highest for sheriffs.
What Happens Next Will Shape Public Trust - Bianco's record raises questions about balancing public safety priorities with his gubernatorial campaign. The ongoing lawsuits and investigations could lead to reforms, hearings, or settlements affecting county resources.
The question is, with his poor record on solving crimes, and the possible lack of measures to ensure the safety of inmates in the jail, should Sheriff Bianco be working on resolving the problems in his department rather than running for governor of California?
Sources:
cjcj.org - “The Sheriff with California’s Worst Crime-Solving Record is Running for Governor”, by Mike Males, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow
Facebook posts of Vem Miller
