Riverside County Sheriff Embarrassed by Deputy's Dating App Use During Standoff

Chad Bianco says incident does not represent his department's SWAT team

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:23am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police radio or other law enforcement equipment lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the stark, gritty, and investigative nature of the incident.The use of a deputy's personal device during a high-stakes standoff raises concerns about professionalism in law enforcement.Riverside Today

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco expressed shock and embarrassment over a video showing one of his department's SWAT deputies scrolling on a dating app during an hours-long standoff with an armed suspect. Bianco said the deputy's actions were unacceptable and not representative of his highly-trained SWAT team.

Why it matters

The incident raises concerns about professionalism and focus during high-stakes law enforcement operations, especially as Bianco is running for California governor on a tough-on-crime platform. It also comes as the Riverside County Sheriff's Office faces scrutiny over the use of a pursuit-ending tool that caused a crash during the standoff.

The details

The standoff occurred on April 8 after an armed pursuit suspect crashed into a wall near a Jurupa Valley school. As the suspect remained barricaded in his vehicle, aerial footage captured a SWAT deputy appearing to scroll through a dating app on his phone while taking cover behind an armored vehicle just feet from the suspect's car.

  • The incident happened during an hours-long standoff on April 8, 2026.
  • Bianco spoke about the incident in a one-on-one interview with CBS LA on April 15, 2026.

The players

Chad Bianco

The Riverside County Sheriff and a candidate for California governor, who expressed shock and embarrassment over the deputy's actions during the standoff.

Riverside County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that has launched an internal investigation into the deputy's behavior during the standoff.

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What they’re saying

“I was shocked, I was embarrassed, I was angry. That is not representative of my department. I am unbelievably, unbelievably over the top proud of my SWAT team and it was a slap in the face to them. It was an embarrassment to them.”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff

What’s next

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office has launched an internal investigation into the deputy's actions during the standoff. The results of the investigation are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for law enforcement agencies to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, even in high-stress situations. The actions of the deputy during the standoff have the potential to undermine public trust in the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, especially as Sheriff Bianco runs for governor on a tough-on-crime platform.