Police Officer Academy Graduate​/Lateral Transfer

Join to apply for the Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer role at City of Santa Cruz

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.

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.

Each and every officer 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, swelling to over 100,000 during the summer. 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.

• Apply online with required application materials: complete the online application form. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of a fully completed application.
• Responses to supplemental questions
• Possession of a POST certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) must be attached to your application. An incomplete application will be screened as such.
  • Entry-level candidates attach current POST Academy Completion Certificate.
  • Lateral Transfer Candidates attach current POST Basic Law Enforcement Certificate.
• Proof of educational degrees (if applicable) must be attached to qualify for educational incentive.

• Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications. For lateral or academy graduate candidates, no written examination or physical agility testing is required.
• If you meet the minimum qualifications and provide the required POST certifications, you will be requested to submit a sworn Personal History Statement (PHS) within 14 days of notification.
• Selected candidates will proceed to:
  Oral interview panel, background investigation and polygraph examination, interview with the Chief of Police, psychological examination, and medical examination (includes drug/alcohol screening).

• Newly hired Lateral Police Officers receive up to $20,000 in incentives: $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:
  • Two-year college degree (AA or AS) = $2,500 bonus at end of probation.
  • Four-year college degree (BA or BS) = $5,000 bonus at end of probation (higher prize only).
• Educational Tuition Reimbursement: up to $500 per fiscal year for approved courses; approval from the Chief of Police required.
• Bilingual Pay Differential: 5% of base pay per month for certified bilingual officers, subject to approval.
• Employee Referral Incentive: referrals must check "City Employee" box and provide referring employee name.

An intensive background investigation will be conducted per POST guidelines, including a polygraph test, psychological exam, medical exam, credit history, driving record, criminal activity, military and employment records, and character references. Suitability is based on POST job dimensions such as problem-solving, learning, observation, interpersonal sensitivity, etc.

Applicants must obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record by time…