SCPD CITIZEN'S POLICE ACADEMY - Sign up Now For Fall Session Begins September 12 and September 11th in Spanish

The Citizens' Police Academy (CPA) is a free interactive course that combines classroom and lecture along with practical, hands-on scenarios from officers in their fields. It's exciting, fun and free!

The Citizens Police Academy gives participants a look inside the day-to-day operations of the Department and the guidelines by which officer’s function. Students learn about SCPD and local policing, firearms training, gang awareness, patrol functions, K-9 functions, criminal investigations, narcotics, dispatch, traffic law, and use of force.

Registration is now open for the Department’s next Citizens Police Academy. The 14-week program gives participants insight into the philosophy and policies that govern the SCPD’s service to the community.

The CPA course in English will be held every Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM, from September 12, 2017, December 2, 2017.  Click here for registration form.

The CPA for Spanish speakers will be held every Monday from 6 to 8 PM, from September 11 to December 4, 2017. Click here for registration form in Spanish.

Participants must be 18 years old and must either work, live, or attend school in the city of Santa Cruz and must pass a basic background check to participate.

Applications and more information on SCPD website click here: https://goo.gl/rSqq3J - Contact Officer Leo Gomez at lgomez@cityofsantacruz.com to sign up.

If you have been through a previous Citizen's Academy, feel free to post your comments below.

SCPD Welcomes Three New Officers

SCPD GraduatesThree Officers from the Police Academy

Join us in welcoming Officer Richard Boolootian, Officer Randall Liska, and Officer Caleb Linman to the SCPD family.

Yesterday, Chief Mills swore in Officers Boolootian, Liska, and Linman. They took an oath to serve and protect our city.

Officer Richard Boolootian with Chief Mills 

Officer Randall Liska with Chief Mills

Officer Caleb Linman with Chief Mills

Their graduation culminated more than 880 hours of intense training over a 6-month period. During the Academy, the recruits completed testing on 43 different learning domains, as well as physical and scenario-based testing. Officer Liska, earned the honor as class Academy President. He also ranked #1 in training skills. We are very proud of all their accomplishments!

 

The officers now undergo several weeks of orientation before being assigned to an 18-week Field Training Program. During this program, they are paired with a Field Training Officer and evaluated each day. Upon completion of the Field Training Program, the officers are assigned to a patrol team to work as a solo beat officer.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Officer Richard Boolootian, Officer Randall Liska, and Officer Caleb Linman

Pop-Up Mixer with Chief of Police & Planning Director on Tuesday, August 29th from 5-7pm

Please join us on Tuesday, August 29th from 5-7pm at the Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street in the Courtyard.
 

The new Chief of Police, Andy Mills and new Planning Director, Lee Butler, would love the chance to meet those they serve.
 

Members of the public, city employees, community leaders, and local business owners are encouraged to stop in.
 

It is an excellent opportunity to see this amazing space at Abbott Square and meet two of our newest city leaders.

Santa Cruz Police Arrest Serial Groper

Santa Cruz Police arrested Frank Benavidez for groping several women today on Pacific Avenue. Quick-acting SCPD Officer Burnham stopped the suspect, who is a sex offender registrant, in a series of sexually motivated attacks.

 

Frank Benavidez, 43 years old from Salinas

On Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at about 11:07 a.m., Santa Cruz Police responded to a call of sexual battery that had just occurred in the 900 block of Pacific Avenue. The first victim, a woman fought off Frank Benavidez when he sexually groped her near the bus station. The second victim, a woman had been walking on the sidewalk when Frank Benavidez grabbed and physically assaulted her. The victim pushed the suspect off. However, he attacked her a second time. Two good Samaritans who witnessed the attack intervened. The suspect, Frank Benavidez then ran across the street and grabbed a third woman from behind. The victim fought off the suspect by punching and kicking him. The suspect chased after a fourth female and threatened to assault her sexually.

Within minutes Santa Cruz Police located the suspect Frank Benavidez, 43 years old from Salinas. Frank Benavidez is a recently registered transient sex offender in the City of Santa Cruz.

Detectives are reviewing video surveillance in the area. Investigators believe there may be additional victims in the series of groping attacks in the City of Santa Cruz. The victims were traumatized by the attack; none required medical attention.

Frank Benavidez was arrested for multiple counts of assault with intent to commit rape, sexual battery, and false imprisonment.

We are asking for the public’s help in identifying any additional victims with whom Frank Benavidez may have had contact. Please call the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.

SCPD is also working with the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women to encourage and connect victims with resources and prosecute crimes of violence against women.

Santa Cruz Police Back To School Reminders And Support City of Santa Cruz Street Smarts Traffic Safety Campaign

The Santa Cruz Police Department wants to remind the community that Santa Cruz City Schools will be back in session this week. Chief Andy Mills, as well as commanders, will be out at our local elementary schools greeting the children as they arrive on the first day of school. As part of our commitment to the public’s safety the Santa Cruz Police Department will be conducting an education and enforcement campaign, which is aimed at school zones around the City of Santa Cruz.

SCPD Traffic Units will be looking for drivers that are using cell phones, speeding in school zones, illegally passing school buses, failing to yield at crosswalks, and any other violation that may endanger school children on their way to and from school. The focus is on increasing awareness of ‘distracted driving’ and pedestrian safety. The enforcement will be conducted mainly, but not limited to 7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. hour when children are on their way to school.

“Our number one priority is the safety of our community, including students, parents and school staff,” Chief Mills said. “The new school year is a busy time for families and increases traffic congestion on the roadways. It is important that everyone slow down.” Follow these safety tips to ensure a safe transition back to school.
Back to School Safety Tips for Motorist
• Drivers are encouraged to leave earlier than usual to accommodate increased commute time
• Observe posted speed limits, especially 25 MPH school speed zones
• Watch for crossing guards around most elementary schools who will be stopping traffic so children can safely cross the street
• When dropping off children, please do so in the designated school drop off areas
• Above all, drivers are encouraged to remain patient during any travel delays and remember the goal is for everyone to arrive at their destination safely!

Back to School Safety Tips for Pedestrians
• Never walk while texting. If you need to send a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the road, always walk FACING traffic.
• Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
• Stop at the curb, or the edge of the road.
• Walk in groups, there is safety in numbers. Groups are more likely to be seen by drivers.
• Before crossing the street, stop and look left, then right, then left again. When vehicles are stopped, make eye contact with the driver to ensure they know you are there before proceeding.
• If you see a car, wait until it goes by. Then look left, right and left again until traffic is clear and it is safe to cross.

“Our goal has always been and continues to be the safety of your children, pedestrians, and commuters to and from schools at the beginning and end of each day”, said Chief Mills.

City of Santa Cruz Launches Street Smarts Traffic Safety Campaign

This week the City of Santa Cruz is launching Street Smarts, a new traffic safety campaign with mission to reduce the number of traffic-related crashes and injuries in the City of Santa Cruz. The public education campaign intends to improve the roadway behavior of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians—everyone who uses Santa Cruz roadways.

Street Smarts public education efforts target City of Santa Cruz traffic-related problems that include speeding and distracted driving. Pertinent messages that also raise awareness of our most vulnerable road users are now posted on banners in front of elementary and middle schools, on street poles, buses and City vehicles. Messages are also being delivered in print and through television and radio broadcast and social media. UC Santa Cruz will be extending Street Smarts messaging throughout their campus community.

The Santa Cruz Police Department will be delivering quarterly Street Smarts presentations open to all City residents.

Santa Cruz City Schools and Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency are partnered with Street Smarts for elementary school assemblies that will be presented in the second half of the school year. The assemblies will be created with middle school students who participate in after-school clubs. Details are available at www.cityofsantacruz.com/StreetSmarts.

Street Smarts officially begins with a family-friendly celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Santa Cruz Warriors mascot Mav’Riks, UC Santa Cruz’s Sammy the Slug and California Highway Patrol’s Chipmunk Chipper will lead young and old in activities that underscore safe rules of the road. There will be 15 booths with interactive games, bike valet service, a bike safety obstacle course and one free raffle ticket per person for prizes including Southwest round-trip air tickets, new bikes, free car service, walking shoes, reflective gear and more.

The celebratory event kick-starts the many ways that Street Smarts will help the community contribute to a safer City of Santa Cruz in which to live, work and play.

For more information including free yard signs and bumper stickers available to all City of Santa Cruz residents in English or Spanish, please visit www.cityofsantacruz.com/StreetSmarts.

Special thank you to Street Smarts campaign sponsors: AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, AT&T, PG&E, Kaiser Permanente and media sponsors KION 5/46 News Channel/Telemundo 23, Good Times, KSCO and Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District.

***INCREASED CITYWIDE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT *** Wednesday, August 16th, 2017 with Allied Agencies

The Santa Cruz Police Department will be hosting a BADGES (Before Aggressive Driving Gets Everyone Stopped) detail tomorrow, Wednesday, August 16th, 2017. The purpose of this collaboration is to stop aggressive driving and to reduce traffic violations and collisions throughout the city. Traffic officers from agencies throughout the country will be joining up with the SCPD’s Traffic Unit for enforcement and educational stops throughout the city.

Practice safe walking, biking and driving today and every day!

Traffic safety is a topic frequently on the minds of residents and police alike. The SCPD Traffic Unit strives every day to reduce the number of traffic incidents throughout our city through education, engagement, working with the traffic engineering department, and enforcement.

Great Police Work - Shooter Arrested & Search Warrant Nets Drugs, Firearms & $36,500

Last week, after an in-depth investigation, Santa Cruz Police arrested Deshawn Hatfield in the 7/16 /17 attempted homicide shooting which also led Detectives to a drug dealing operation. Santa Cruz Police Department and the Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Kennan Street. Officers found 20 grams of methamphetamine, 1 pound of cocaine, 14 ounces of crack cocaine, 5 pounds of marijuana, firearms, dozens of rounds of ammunition, and $36,500 cash.

The initial investigation began on 07/16/17, around 2:00 a.m., an attempted homicide occurred in the 700 block of Pacific Ave. A 33-year-old, male victim was shot once in the neck and life flighted to an out-of-county trauma center. The victim has since recovered.

The suspects, described as two black male adults, fled the scene after the shooting. Detectives worked through the night and the following week collecting evidence and following up on leads. As a result, Deshawn Hatfield and Terrence Tolliver were identified as persons of interest in the case but had yet to be located.

Deshawn Hatfield, 27 years old from Santa Cruz

Terrance Tolliver, 30 years old from Santa Cruz 

On 07/31/17, around 1:00 a.m., Hatfield and Tolliver were both spotted and arrested in the 200 block of Front Street. Deshawn Hatfield, 27 years old from Santa Cruz, was arrested for possession for sales of crack cocaine and methamphetamine.

Terrance Tolliver, 30 years old from Santa Cruz was arrested for possession of a loaded stolen firearm and probation violation.

After interviewing both suspects regarding the 7/16/17 shooting incident, Detectives arrested Deshawn Hatfield for being the shooter in the attempt-homicide. Mr. Tolliver was released pending further investigation.

On 08/02/17 Detectives and SCPD NET served a search warrant at an address associated with Deshawn Hatfield and Terrence Tolliver on the 100 block of Kennan Street in Santa Cruz. Upon execution of the search warrant, officers recovered evidence in the attempted homicide and illegal drug manufacturing and sales located inside the home.

Officers seized the following evidence:
Loaded Sawed off .22 rifle
Loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic firearm
Homemade shotgun
Various rounds of Ammunition
Extended magazine for semi-automatic firearm
Stun gun
Money counter
$36,500 US Currency
20 grams of methamphetamine
1 pound of cocaine
14 ounces of crack cocaine
Approximately 5 pounds of marijuana

"I cannot express how grateful I am to my officers who made the arrests possible. Because of their efforts, the suspect involved in the attempted homicide is now in custody. It was the great teamwork and effort of our detectives and Neighborhood Enforcement Team who pieced together facts and circumstances leading to the identification and apprehension of the suspect which then also allowed us to shut down a drug operation.” said Chief Mills.

Community members wanting to assist this investigation with information are encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigation Unit at (831) 420-5820.

Detective Juan Gallegos Retires After 22 Years

Happy Retirement

THANK YOU, Detective Juan Gallegos!

Today is Sergeant Juan Gallegos’ last day. We'd like to take this time to congratulate Juan for his long and local law enforcement career.

Juan was hired in 1995 and hit the ground running, working on assignments such as patrol, school resource officer, alcohol enforcement unit, field training officer, investigations, and many ATV shifts on the beach.

Juan’s favorite aspect of working for Santa Cruz PD was the men and women he worked beside daily. “I will miss the camaraderie amongst the officers," said Detective Gallegos, "and, I will also miss the interesting and valuable relationships with the community in Santa Cruz.”

Juan credits the people he worked with and the relationships he built over his 22-year career as a key to his long and happy tenure at SCPD.

Please join us in a fond farewell to Juan, who will be missed by his co-workers, and the community. 

Thank you for your service, Juan.