Lieutenant Mark Sanders Retires After 29 Years

Today, December 27, 2012, marks the last day of an outstanding career of crime fighting service to the Santa Cruz community by Lieutenant Mark Sanders.  Mark retires at the end of his day today after 29 years in police work.

Mark came to the Santa Cruz Police Department after 2 years of service with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.  He has been at Santa Cruz Police Department since 1985.  In his time here, Mark has worked just about every job in the department.  Mark has worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Community Services, Detective, and Traffic Officer.

Of all the jobs he has held, Mark enjoyed his time working in the Traffic Unit the best.  He credits the people he worked with and the relationships he built.

Not only has Mark accomplished some outstanding police work, he also played one heck of a nose tackle for the Department’s infamous “Bacon Bowl” football team back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.  

Chief Kevin Vogel commented on Mark’s retirement saying, “Mark is one of the people that taught me how to do this job.  Many of my successes are due to his influence and the lessons he taught me when I started out in this job”.  Chief Vogel shared that Mark was one of his training officers when the Chief started with the department in 1987.

Mark is retiring as the Commander for the department’s Investigation Unit where he has management oversight of the Detectives, Victim Advocate, and Property & Evidence Booking.    He has also served as the department’s firearms team commander for several years, helping to increase tactical firearms proficiency.

Mark plans to enjoy his retirement golfing and traveling between Santa Cruz and Palm Springs. 

At the end of the day, Mark will receive a flag that was flown over the Police Department today to honor his 29 years of service to the community and profession. 

You will be dearly missed by those who ever responded to a call with you, or heard you pipe up with a quick and witty comment in the middle of a pressure-packed staff meeting.