Retiring Police Chief Vogel Receives Memorable Farewell

Members of the Santa Cruz community and leadership turned out to this week to pay tribute to Chief Vogel. He was presented with numerous plaques and a commemorative badge to honor his time and achievements at the Santa Cruz Police Department.

"It's been my honor and privilege to serve the City of Santa Cruz,” said Chief Vogel.

To show their appreciation for more than three decades of dedicated service to the community, the department's officers gave him a send-off Thursday afternoon when he left his office for the final time.

The traditional "walk-out" when he left headquarters included a broadcast radio sign off duty for the last time. SCPD also presented Chief Vogel with the flag that flew on his last day.

Click here for Chief Vogel’s final radio log off with a photo montage. 

"It has been an amazing journey working with our community. I am honored to have worked alongside the dedicated and brave officers at the Santa Cruz Police Department.”- Chief Vogel

Chief Kevin Vogel to Retire Following 30 Years of Service

Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel
Photo Credit: Tarmo Hannula, Register-Pajaronian

On February 9, 2017, Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel announced his retirement, effective June 2, 2017.  Chief Vogel was hired by the Santa Cruz Police Department on February 9, 1987 and was appointed Chief of Police on December 9, 2010. 

Beginning his law enforcement career with the Santa Cruz Police Department, Chief Vogel attended a 16-week basic police academy as a police officer trainee and was sworn in as a police officer in June 1987.  As a police officer, he served as a patrol officer, traffic officer and detective.  He was promoted to sergeant in 1995, where he served as a supervisor in patrol, downtown and investigations.  He was promoted to lieutenant in 2002, where he served in patrol and community services.  He was promoted to deputy chief of police in 2004, where he served in both major divisions of the Police Department.     

Chief Vogel took command of the Santa Cruz Police Department as the 21^st Chief of Police on December 9, 2010.  Under his leadership, the Department succeeded in enhancing public safety by leveraging the Department’s effectiveness through the use of emerging technologies.  The Santa Cruz Police Department collaborated with two UC Santa Cruz graduate students to develop a mobile smartphone app, the first of its kind in the industry, that gives community members a wealth of information in the palm of their hand.  The Department was recognized by the League of California Cities as a recipient of the Helen Putnam Award of Excellence for the development of the mobile smartphone app.  The Santa Cruz Police Department collaborated with a Santa Clara University math professor to develop and introduce a technology known as Predictive Policing, a concept in which historical crime data is used to predict areas within the City that have the highest probability for future criminal activity to occur.  Time Magazine named the Santa Cruz Police Department’s Predictive Policing technology as one of the 50 best inventions of 2011.  The Santa Cruz Police Department has increased transparency and community involvement through the creation of a Chief’s Advisory Committee comprised of community members, a Citizen’s Police Academy offered in English and Spanish, a Teen Public Safety Academy, as well as the P.R.I.D.E. program geared toward keeping at-risk youth out of gangs.

“For thirty years, Kevin served the Santa Cruz community with honor and distinction.  He is a model of integrity and professionalism and it has been an honor to work with him,” stated City Manager Martín Bernal.  “He epitomizes the values of teamwork, leadership, and public service. He has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life in our community and responding to the significant public safety issues faced by cities.” 

In reflecting on his career, Chief Vogel said that “it has been a tremendous honor to work alongside the dedicated men and women in the Police Department, and to serve the Santa Cruz community.  I will miss each and every employee.”

Following his departure, Chief Vogel will shift his focus to spending much more time with his family, traveling and completing many unfinished home projects.  

The City Manager will begin the process to identify Chief Vogel's successor in the coming months.   

Chief Kevin Vogel Celebrates 30-Years with Santa Cruz P.D.

Today, Chief Kevin Vogel celebrates his 30^th anniversary with the Santa Cruz Police Department.  Chief Vogel was hired as a police officer trainee and started the 16-week basic police academy on February 9, 1987.  He graduated the police academy in June, 1987 and was sworn in as a police officer.  He completed the department’s 12-week field training program in September, 1987 and began working as a solo police officer.  

During his tenure as a police officer, Chief Vogel served as a patrol officer, traffic officer and detective.  He was promoted to sergeant in January, 1995 where he served as a patrol supervisor, downtown supervisor and detective sergeant.  He was promoted to lieutenant in 2002, serving as a patrol watch commander and in the Community Services Section.  He was promoted to deputy chief of police in May, 2004, where he spent time as the division commander in both major divisions of the police department.  He was appointed as the City’s 21^st chief of police on December 9, 2010.

Please join us in congratulating Chief Vogel as he celebrates his 30^th anniversary with the Santa Cruz Police Department. 

Holy Cross School's Annual Cookies for Courage Event

Holy Cross School’s Annual Cookies for Courage event is a treasured tradition at the Santa Cruz Police Department.

On Friday September 11th, Holy Cross School hosted its annual Cookies for Courage honoring Police Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics and First Responders in Santa Cruz County.

Holy Cross students prepared and decorated a plentiful array of platters full of cookies. The entire student body at Holy Cross School participated in this thoughtful tribute that included songs, letters and prayers. 

Everyone was honored by the support of the families and students at Holy Cross School as they presented firefighters, paramedics and police with trays of fresh-baked cookies as a symbol of appreciation for their work.

Principal Kimberly Cheng explained that Cookies for Courage was a chance for the Holy Cross School and parish community to show their appreciation for the men and women who keep Santa Cruz safe.

Father Rodolfo Contreras blessed the vehicles of all First Responders wishing them a safe return from service calls. 

Chief Vogel said “Cookies for Courage will always be a very special and favorite event for us at the SCPD. All emergency personnel represented here appreciate the efforts and enjoy seeing the students, staff and families at Holy Cross School. This is a wonderful event and the cookies are delicious!”

This event was the invention of Riley Sisk after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Riley was 6th grade student at Holy Cross. She came up with the idea to have a meaningful event that honored all the first responders and remembered the sacrifices made. The event has carried on at Holy Cross School ever since.

Police Officers, Firefighters, and Paramedics are honored each year at this ceremony and loaded with delicious cookies to bring back and share with our staff.

A heartfelt THANKS to Holy Cross School Principal Cheng and all the staff at Holy Cross School. Huge THANK YOU'S to all the students and their parents. And, THANK YOU to Riley Sisk for starting this wonderful tradition. We are truly honored by this great ceremony and outpouring of support.

Press Conference Update on the Madyson Middleton Investigation

Below is an outline of the information released by the Santa Cruz Police Department today at our 11:00 AM news conference.  The press conference included Mayor Don Lane, Chief Kevin Vogel and District Attorney Jeff Rosell. 

Chief Vogel started by providing a chronological synopsis of the events in this case:

• 8-year old Madyson Middleton reported missing on Sunday 7/26 at 6:08 p.m. from the Tannery Arts Center, 1030 River Street, where she lived.
• Madyson was last seen late Sunday afternoon and was captured on video riding her Razor scooter in the Tannery Arts Center complex.
• SCPD flooded the area with police officers and detectives after receiving the call that Madyson was missing.  SCPD began an extensive and exhaustive search of the area where she was last seen, including the surrounding woodland areas, open spaces and the San Lorenzo River Levee in an effort to locate her.
• The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team was called to assist with the search on Sunday evening.  We also requested a specially trained search and rescue K-9 unit from the State Office of Emergency Services to support our efforts.
• SCPD staff and allied agencies worked through late Sunday night into Monday morning.  Detectives followed up on all leads and continued the search for Madyson in hopes of finding her safe and returning her home.
• SCPD reached out to the FBI on Sunday evening asking for their assistance.  Within hours, the FBI sent a team of agents and resources to assist with the search for Madyson.  Additional resources were brought in on Monday.
• On Monday, all available SCPD personnel, FBI personnel and Search and Rescue personnel from Santa Cruz County and adjoining counties continued an extensive search throughout the day hoping to find Madyson and returning her home.    
• On Monday evening at approximately 7:55 pm, Detectives discovered a body believed to be Madyson Middleton. 

The following new information was provided during the press conference:

Late afternoon on Monday July 27^th, Santa Cruz Police Detectives initiated a more thorough and focused canvass of the Tannery Arts Center complex.  The refocusing effort came after police neared the 24 hour mark of Madyson’s disappearance.  The initial phase of the case concentrated on a search for Madyson and an investigation into her disappearance.  As we neared the 24 hour mark, the investigation transitioned into a recovery and forensic effort.  

At approximately 7:55 pm, a Santa Cruz Police detective discovered the body of Madyson Middleton at the bottom of a large dumpster-sized recycle bin on the ground floor of the complex.  The suspect had gone to great lengths to conceal the body.  Madyson’s body was concealed and disguised inside the recycle bin in a way where it was not obvious or readily apparent.  An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause and manner of death.  

A 15-year old male juvenile was immediately arrested and taken into custody.  The suspect was actually standing near the location when Madyson’s body was discovered.  The juvenile suspect resides in the Tannery Arts Complex with his family.   Detectives interviewed the suspect into the early morning hours.  At this point, the suspect is under arrest for the murder of Madyson Middleton. 

Detectives have located evidence that links the suspect to this horrific crime.  That evidence includes Madyson’s belongings, witness statements and video evidence. 

We have determined that Madyson was an acquaintance of the suspect by virtue of both residing at the Tannery Arts Center complex.  Evidence suggests that Madyson was lured to the suspect’s apartment willingly.  Additionally, we have determined that Madyson was murdered inside of the suspect’s apartment and eventually carried downstairs to the recycle bin and concealed within the bin.  Evidence in the case indicates that Madyson was killed prior to the initial call to police on Sunday July 27^th at 6:08 pm. 

We have determined the suspect acted alone and not in concert with anyone else.  There is no risk or threat to the community at this point as the suspect is currently in custody at the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Chief Kevin Vogel thanked all of our law enforcement partners who assisted and contributed with personnel and other resources for this investigation.  Chief Vogel acknowledged Sheriff Jim Hart and his Search and Rescue Team.  The team tirelessly searched miles of trails, woods, waterways and buildings in hopes of finding Madyson.  Our thanks includes the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office who also dedicated personnel to the search efforts.

Chief Vogel thanked the FBI and Special Agent in Charge Malcolm Palmore who joined our efforts and made every resource available.  Within hours, the FBI brought approx. 50 Agents and stood up a command center to assist in this investigation. 

Chief Vogel gave special thanks to the American Red Cross who sustained our first responders throughout the investigation and search for Madyson. 

Chief Vogel acknowledged and thanked the community members who came forward and offered assistance and support.  Many of our community members made signs and flyers and posted them throughout the area hoping to find Madyson alive.  Once again, you showed how well our community cares for each other during times of crisis. 

Finally, Chief Vogel addressed the family of Madyson Middleton, offering our sympathy, support and prayers.  It was our sincere hope that we would find Madyson and return her home. 

District Attorney Jeff Rosell is expected to file charges within the next few days. 

Chief Vogel Congratulates All in Final Leg of World Special OlympicTorch Run

Chief Vogel and Mayor Don Lane honored and thanked the carriers of the torch as they completed the Law Enforcement Final Leg for the World Special Olympic Games.

This group is comprised of officers and athletes from around the globe, completed their journey at The Boardwalk. Chief Vogel was proud to address this awesome group, who represent Special Olympics of NORCAL.

James Durbin was also in attendance and sang his hit "Santa Cruz" for this dedicated group of officers and athletes.

The World Games are in Los Angeles this month (www.la2015.org). With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics will be the single largest sporting event anywhere in the world in 2015 and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.

The Flame of Hope, which was lit in Greece before traveling here, is being carried by 150 police officers from all over the world and 10 Special Olympic Athletes from all over the world on its way to the World Games.

Thank you to all who participated in making this special event possible. SCPD is proud to support this remarkable group of officers and athletes from around the world complete their journey at The Boardwalk.