Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer

City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz (CA)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Pay incentives up to $20,000

Education incentives (BA/BS) up to $5,

Bilingual pay 5%

Comprehensive recruitment process

Job summary

The City of Santa Cruz Police Department is hiring Police Officers as Lateral or Academy Graduates. The department emphasizes community-based policing, strong leadership, and a commitment to diversity.

New hires may be eligible for incentives and bilingual pay, reflecting a modern, community-focused organization. Candidates must meet POST requirements and complete a thorough selection process including background checks, polygraph, medical and psychological evaluations.

Qualifications

High school graduation or tested equivalency.
Possession of POST entry-level or basic certificate depending on lateral/academy status.

Responsibilities

Patrols assigned areas in a motorized vehicle or on foot to prevent and detect crime and enforce State and local laws.
Responds to calls concerning traffic accidents, crimes, disorder and emergency situations.
Pursues and apprehends suspects.
Enforces traffic laws; investigates traffic accidents; administers first aid and controls crowds.
Conducts initial and follow-up investigations of crimes; collects and preserves evidence.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

Education

High School Diploma

POST Entry-Level Academy Completion Certificate

POST Basic Law Enforcement Certificate

Job description

Update: Effective the pay period that began on March 14, 2026, the salary for all classifications in the Police Officer Association increased by 4%. This job posting has been updated to reflect this increase.

The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Lateral and Academy Graduate candidates. Join the SCPD team for a career that offers excitement, growth opportunities, great coworkers and the chance to make a positive impact in your community.

Why SCPD? The Best People.

Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community and work daily to keep it safe.

Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.

You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state‑of‑the‑art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000.

There are 94 sworn officers assigned to patrol, traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigations, K9 unit, motors and undercover task force assignments.

The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Recruitment #26-PD-05

Application and Selection Process

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Apply Now with required application materials:
1. Application - apply online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out an application form completely. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.
2. Responses to the supplemental questions
3. Possession of one of these POST certificates awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) must be attached to your online application or your application will be screened as incomplete.
  - Entry-level candidates must attach their current POST Academy Completion Certificate
  - Lateral Transfer Candidates must attach their current POST Basic Law Enforcement Certificate
4. Proof of your educational degrees (if applicable) must be attached as verification in order to qualify for Educational Incentive.

Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for the job. For Lateral or Academy Graduate candidates, there is no written examination or physical agility testing.

Personal History Statement: Candidates with a fully completed application who meet the minimum qualifications and submitted the required POST Certifications will be requested to submit a Sworn version of the Personal History Statement (PHS) within 14 calendar days of notification. This is a lengthy document; if you wish to work on this ahead of time, the form is available on the City website. See our agency's customized instructions on filling out and submitting the PHS. You must wait until requested to submit a Personal History Statement, but you may review the form and reasons for disqualification and work on this document ahead of time here City website. Candidates who successfully pass review of their Personal History Statement will proceed as follows:
Oral Interview Panel
Background Investigation and polygraph examination
Interview with the Chief of Police
Psychological Examination
Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening)

Pay Incentives

YES, there are pay incentives!

For the purpose of hiring incentives, new lateral Police Officers are defined as Police Officers currently employed by a law enforcement agency who have successfully completed a probationary period of at least twelve (12) months.

Hiring Incentive

Newly hired Lateral Police Officers will receive up to $20,000 in payments of $5,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $5,000 at 1.5 years post hire, $5,000 at 2.5 years post hire, and $5,000 at 3.5 years post hire.

Education Incentive

Newly hired Lateral Police Officers who have a two-year college degree (AA or AS) will receive a $2,500 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation.
Newly hired Lateral Police Officers who have a four-year college degree (BA or BS) will receive a $5,000 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation. If the Officer also has an AA or AS, they will receive only the higher incentive.

Educational Tuition Reimbursement

After employment, employees are eligible to be reimbursed up to $500 per fiscal year for tuition and books upon successful completion of City-approved college or university courses or other courses directly related to an employee’s job duties. To be eligible for reimbursement, employees must receive approval of the Chief of Police prior to attending classes and comply with applicable department and City regulations.

Bilingual Pay

For bilingual speaking skills, Police Officers are eligible for 5% differential of base pay per month, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the approval of the Director of Human Resources. To qualify for this compensation, employees must be certified by the Human Resources Director as conversant in a foreign language utilized frequently in the line of duty.

Employee Referral Incentives

If you were referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee, please be sure to check the "City Employee" box where the application asks for the recruitment source and provide the referring employee name(s) as well. The referring employee's name(s) must be listed on the application for consideration for the employee to receive the referral incentive.

Background Investigation and Polygraph Test

An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions: problem-solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self-improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure and physical ability.

Driver's License Requirements

Applicants must be able to obtain by time of hire and continue to maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.

For more information about the position, contact the Police Department recruiting team at (831) 420-5801. To schedule a ride-along with an officer or tour the Police Department, go to the Police Department webpage. For application questions, email the Human Resources Department HR@santacruzca.gov.

Basic Function

Under general supervision, preserves the peace; protects life and property; prevents and detects crimes; enforces laws and ordinances; and maintains a public service approach towards the community, and performs other job related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the entry and journey level classification within the City's sworn police service. Incumbents rotate through various assignments and are expected to be able to perform the full range of duties required of the class. Incumbents may be assigned to any of the following divisions or units: Patrol; Traffic Enforcement; Investigation; Juvenile; Forgery Detail; Crime Prevention; or Special Assignments. Other special duties may include bomb or scuba diving squads, hostage/crisis negotiations, field training officer, firearms instructor or other training programs.

(May include, but are not limited to the following)

Patrols assigned areas in a motorized vehicle or on foot to prevent and detect crime and enforce State and local laws.
Responds as dispatched to calls concerning traffic accidents, crimes, disorder and emergency situations.
Pursues and apprehends suspects.
Enforces traffic laws; investigates traffic accidents; administers first aid and controls crowds.
Conducts initial and follow-up investigations of crimes; collects and preserves physical evidence; photographs crime scenes; questions suspects, witnesses, and victims.
Makes arrests and transports prisoners.
Prepares crime reports, incident reports, traffic collision reports, citations, property reports and special reports as assigned.
Participates in the Community Awareness Program, an information program to inform citizens of police functions and crime prevention techniques.
Provides escort or traffic control during parades, funerals and special events; coordinates with school crossing guards to assure safety.
Prepares cases for prosecution and appears in court as a witness.
Processes and serves warrants; serves legal papers such as subpoenas, summons writs, notices, documents.
Collects, preserves and transports physical evidence.
Answers questions and provides information to the public.
Assists and cooperates with other law enforcement and public safety agencies.
Performs related duties as assigned within the guidelines or policies of the department.

Working Conditions

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, maintain sustained posture in a seated or standing position for prolonged periods of time; lift and drag 165 pounds; current POST vision and hearing guidelines must be met; adequate depth perception; speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the telephone and radio; carry and operate a firearm; work in intense life-threatening conditions; drive standard police vehicles. Work in a standard office environment 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.

Education and Experience

High school graduation or tested equivalent.

For Entry Level - Candidates

Possession of a current Academy Completion Certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).

For Lateral Transfer Candidates

Possession of a current Basic Law Enforcement Certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Working Knowledge

Laws pertaining to search and seizure, arrest and interrogation of suspects.
Rules of evidence and basic criminal law.
The use and care of standard police firearms.

Some Knowledge

Techniques of criminal investigations.
Court procedures in criminal and civil cases.

Abilities

Learn modern police procedures and techniques.
Understand, interpret and apply State and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, and other technical literature pertaining to law enforcement.
React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action.
Pursue, subdue and control and/or physically restrain a suspect.
Observe and remember facts and details of incidents.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Learn to operate firearms safely and skillfully.
Obtain information through interview, interrogation and observation.
Write clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
Communicate verbally in a clear and effective manner.
Deal tactfully and effectively with a wide range of different individuals and groups from the community.

Special Requirements

Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights and weekends.
Psychological suitability for police work (determined by a psychological exam as required by the California POST Commission).
Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation which includes a polygraph examination, credit history, driving record, criminal activity, military and employment records, and character references, (in accordance with the minimum standards for employment issued by the California POST Commission).
Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Physical Condition

Physical health, strength, and agility necessary to meet the physical demands of police work, as determined by a physical agility test and a medical exam (based on current California POST Commission guidelines).
Corrected vision of 20/20 for both eyes together. Uncorrected vision of 20/80 for both eyes, for those who wear glasses or hard contact lenses. There is no uncorrected vision standard for individuals who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for at least one year. Current POST vision guidelines must be met, including those for color, binocular, and peripheral vision.

Licenses and Certificates