October 1, 2014

Officer Mark Bailey Retires After 26-1/2 Years



The Santa Cruz Police Department sends a fond farewell to Officer Mark Bailey after 26 ½ years on the force.  Mark attended his last roll call today before riding off into retirement. Deputy Chief Rick Martinez presented Mark with a certificate of appreciation from Governor Jerry Brown.  


Mark was hired on February 1, 1988. Here he his showing up for his first day of orientation
He retires as the third –most senior member of the department. Here he is in a photo with the department's most senior members.
Left to Right, Sgt. Jack McPhillips, Chief Kevin Vogel, DC Steve Clark, Officer Mark Bailey
Mark has enjoyed a number of assignments in his tenure with the department.  Mark left his fingerprint on the organization as a as a Field Training Officer, responsible for teaching and molding our new recruits into the department.  Many of the officers working today were trained by him. 

Mark was one of the first officers to work in the department’s DUI Unit, before being assigned to the traffic unit where he rode a motorcycle for years.  He was not only responsible for enforcement, but also investigation of collisions, including major injuries or fatalities. 

In his years, Mark served the city and the department well.  He will be missed by his friends and colleagues here at the police department.  Here’s wishing Officer Mark Bailey a fantastic and well-deserved retirement.