RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The leader of the second largest sheriff’s department in California says his deputies will not enforce Governor Gavin Newsom's newest stay-at-home order.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco sent a direct message to Governor Newsom before the new order went into effect Sunday night.

“The Riverside Sheriff’s department will not be blackmailed, bullied, or used as muscle against Riverside County residents in the enforcement of the governor’s orders,” Bianco said in a taped message.

The sheriff accused Gov. Newsom of being hypocritical, acting like a dictator, and villainizing the department by using them as muscle to enforce the order.

“It was very disturbing to me when I watched the governor’s press conference and I appreciate the job he has to do, but when he said he was going to withhold money from counties if we did not enforce these orders, I mean, come on," Bianco said.

Sheriff Bianco joins other sheriffs in the Southland who have said they won’t enforce the order, but will continue to educate the public.

“We aren’t just ignoring it. We are going out and telling people to social distance, to wear their masks, to be safe, to avoid crowds. We aren’t letting big, huge parties go on,” Bianco said. “I think the difference is we’re not going to arrest them for doing it.”

COVID-19 has hit Bianco's department hard, having lost the lives of two deputies due to the virus. The sheriff’s adult children have also had it and recovered.

“I know the virus is real,” he said. “It’s not that I don’t believe it’s out there, but the hysteria and fear that is being portrayed about it - I don’t think it's warranted.”

Bianco believes people need support, not punishment.

“I just don’t believe we should be arresting people, that we should be citing them, and taking away their money,” he added. “We’re going to close their business and take away their money and fine them, and if they can’t pay it, we’re going to throw them in jail? It just doesn’t make sense to me.”