Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer

About the role

The Santa Cruz Police Department is seeking Police Officer Lateral and Academy Graduate candidates. The department is known for its innovative community-based policing strategies and offers a supportive environment for career development.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas in motorized or on-foot vehicles to prevent and detect crime.
• Respond to calls involving traffic accidents, crimes, disorder, and emergencies.
• Pursue and apprehend suspects.
• Enforce traffic laws, investigate traffic accidents, administer first aid, and control crowds.
• Conduct initial and follow-up investigations of crimes, collect and preserve physical evidence, and photograph crime scenes.
• Question suspects, witnesses, and victims.
• Makes arrests and transports prisoners.
• Prepare crime reports, incident reports, traffic collision reports, citations, property reports, and special reports.
• Participate in the Community Awareness Program.
• Provide escort or traffic control during parades, funerals, and special events.
• Coordinate with school crossing guards to ensure safety.
• Prepare cases for prosecution and appear in court as a witness.
• Process and serve warrants, subpoenas, summonses, writs, notices, and documents.
• Collect, preserve, and transport physical evidence.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public.
• Afford assistance and cooperation with other law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• For Entry Level- Candidates: Current Academy Completion Certificate from POST.
• For Lateral Transfer Candidates: Current Basic Law Enforcement Certificate from POST.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of laws pertaining to search and seizure, arrest, and interrogation of suspects.
• Knowledge of rules of evidence and basic criminal law.
• Knowledge of techniques of criminal investigations and court procedures in criminal and civil cases.

Skills

• Learn modern police procedures and techniques.
• Understand, interpret, and apply State and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, and other technical literature.

Benefits

• Up to $20,000 in hiring incentives for newly hired Lateral Police Officers.
• $2,500 education bonus for those with a two-year college degree and $5,000 for a four-year college degree.
• Tuition reimbursement after employment.
• 5% differential of base pay per month for bilingual speaking skills.

Pay

The salary for all classifications in the Police Officer Association has increased by 4% effective March 14, 2026.

Schedule

Work in a standard office or field environment; exposure to noise, outdoors, inclement weather, animals, chemicals, fumes, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, traffic, traffic hazards, moving objects; dangerous persons, animals, firearms, and bodily fluids. Ability to travel to various sites and locations; drive safely to different sites and locations; and maintain a safe driving record.

Application and Selection Process

• Apply online with required application materials including a resume, personal history statement, and POST certifications.
• Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.
• Personal History Statement must be submitted within 14 calendar days of notification.

Contact Information

To learn more about the position, contact the Police Department recruiting team at (831) 420-5801. For application questions, email the Human Resources Department at HR@santacruzca.gov.