Take stock in your future in a respected
occupation and serve our community.

Location... The quality of life influences the quality of your work. The facts are clear: bound by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Redwoods on the other, the City of Santa Cruz is a land of contrasts. Friendly people, sports, art, style, and environmental beauty are assets that pay dividends for a successful career in law enforcement.

Talent... If you are people-oriented and have a talent for problem solving, the City of Santa Cruz encourages you to consider a position in law enforcement.Vision...means intelligent foresight. Do the research, then invest in your future with the City of Santa Cruz Police Department.

Change...Today's public service is in constant evolution, adapting to changing technologies and social trends. We value the ability to accept change and focus on the importance of providing service throughout our community-oriented policing philosophy.

Take a look at Santa Cruz Police Department << Please click on this link to view our recruitment video.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Community Service Officers $3,982-5,337 per month. 

Hiring Incentives:

In an effort to recruit top talent to join the ranks of the Santa Cruz Police Department we are offering a new hiring incentive program.  The program, the first in Santa Cruz County, will offer nearly $10,000 in signing bonuses and educational reimbursements to new police officer recruits. In addition, the program will provide $2,500 as a signing bonus for new community service officers. Here is an overview of the hiring incentive program:

Trainee: $5,451 per month. This is a non-sworn training level classification requiring no prior law enforcement experience. Trainees will be sent to a basic police academy and upon successful completion of the academy will be promoted to the sworn police officer classification.

Academy Graduate: $5,831-7,814 per month. Requires possession of a current academy completion certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training. A photocopy of your certificate must be attached to your application. (Note: If you are currently enrolled in an academy, you may apply at this level if your graduation date is within 21 days of the final filing date and you must submit a letter from your academy showing your expected date of graduation with your application).

Lateral: $6,123-7,814 per month. Requires possession of a current POST basic law enforcement certificate, issued by the State of California. A photocopy of your certificate must be attached to your application.

Getting Started

For information on current recruitments, go to the City of Santa Cruz Human Resources page.

• If a recruitment is not currently being conducted and you wish to be notified of the next test date, submit an Interest Request Form or contact the Human Resources Department at (831) 420-5040.
  

The Police Department encourages you to contact the recruiting section at (831) 420-5801 to:

• Ask questions about the Police Officer position
  
• Schedule a ride-along with an officer. Click here to email your request.
  
• Schedule a tour of the Police Department
  or email your request to the recruiting section at PD_Recruitment@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us
  
  For further information, please contact the City of Santa Cruz Human Resources Department at:

Human Resources Department
809 Center Street (Room 6), Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 420-5040

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

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