Use-of-force charges filed against Hemet police officer

RIVERSIDE – A Hemet police officer is facing criminal assault charges for his actions during an on-duty encounter in Hemet on July 23, 2023.

The Hemet Police Department requested a criminal investigation be conducted by the Force Investigations Detail Task Force, a team made up of investigators from the District Attorney’s Office and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, led by the Sheriff’s Office. The purpose of the task force is to ensure that no agency takes the lead on their own use of force investigation. This standard, independent investigation occurs in parallel with the involved agency’s own internal investigation.

After a thorough investigation, on August 17, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office filed three felony charges in case BAF2300849 against Jacob Hobson, including assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and two counts of assault by a peace officer under color of authority, with sentencing enhancement allegations that the assault caused great bodily injury leading to a significant brain injury.

Hobson’s arraignment is scheduled for Monday, August 21, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at the Banning Justice Center.