Deputy Chief Martinez To Retire After 30 Years of Service

Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Rick Martinez announces retirement after 30 years of service. He will be honored at a community event on December 18, 2019.

The public is invited to a community celebration of Deputy Chief Rick Martinez, who is retiring December 19 after a 30-year career with the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Deputy Chief Martinez's retirement reception is scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm a day earlier, on December 18, at the Santa Cruz Police Department community room. The program will include remarks from elected officials and invited community leaders.

"As police leaders, we work in a challenging environment, but we also have great opportunities to impact our community positively. Santa Cruz has been very fortunate to have Deputy Chief Martinez on our SCPD executive team," Police Chief Andy Mills said. "This send-off event is a great opportunity for the Santa Cruz community to come out and say Thank You for what Rick has done for our department and our city."

Martinez started his career with the City of Santa Cruz in the summer of 1989, working as a Beach Ranger/Park Ranger for the Parks and Recreation Department. In that capacity, he was asked to help as a first responder on October 17, 1989, following the destructive Loma Prieta Earthquake. His initial earthquake response was in rescue operations before he transitioned into a law enforcement role.

Martinez started his career with the Santa Cruz Police Department, serving as a Reserve Police Officer, in 1990. A year later, he was hired as a Police Officer.

Martinez was assigned to the Investigations Section as Detective in 1995 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2000, to the rank of Lieutenant in 2004, and to the rank of Deputy Chief in 2010. He has worked in patrol, neighborhood services, investigations, professional standards, police administration, and was one of the first commanders of the Emergency Services Unit.

Deputy Chief Martinez believes strongly in the Community Oriented Policing model and has spent hundreds of hours each year meeting with community members, business owners, and elected officials to address core issues impacting the City of Santa Cruz. As the commander of the Downtown Unit, he drafted key policies relating to high-risk alcohol outlets. He also spearheaded a block-by-block communication model to provide residents and business owners with direct access to local government resources.

During his years with the department, Deputy Chief Martinez has taught safety classes to local students, worked as a liaison to the Commission for the Prevention of Violence against Women, provided gang training information to local schools, and has taught sections of the citizen's police academy. He was also instrumental in the development and implementation of the department's mobile phone app, establishing policies and procedures related to mental health outreach in the field, developing a collaborative Mental Health Liaison pilot program, and implementing a crisis intervention team model.

He currently serves as a Board Member and is a past Board Chair of the Board of Directors of the Central Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, co-chairs the north county BASTA Operations Team (Broad-based Apprehension, Suppression, and Treatment Alternatives), is a member of the Smart Solutions to Homelessness Leadership Council, and is part of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Community Affairs Committee. He is a past Board Member for the Santa Cruz County Mental Health Advisory Board and Women's Crisis Support of Santa Cruz County.

Martinez has earned a number of awards: the Law Enforcement Community Hero Award in 2010, the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership in 2017, and a Lifesaving Award from Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2019. Chief Mills also awarded him a Lifesaving award for the same action related to an incident at a homeless camp in the city late last year.

"I am both honored and appreciative of the opportunity to have worked with our community and the men and women of the Santa Cruz Police Department," Martinez said. "I retire knowing the department is poised not just to keep Santa Cruz safe, but continue to grow and serve with professionalism."

Deputy Chief Martinez's "Final Radio Call" and "Honorary Walk Out" will take place on December 19, 2019.

Congratulations & Happy Retirement To Four SCPD Officers

The Santa Cruz Police Department on Thursday said goodbye to four retiring officers whose combined service to the city is 81 years.

Pictured left to right: SGT Azua, Ofc Abarca, SGT Harms & Ofc Guerrasio

In a farewell at Police Headquarters attended by dozens of fellow officers and family, the SCPD staged a final radio broadcast and roll call for the departing officers. Sergeant Michael Harms retires after 22 years of service; Sergeant Bill Azua retires after 24 years of service; Officer Dominic Guerrasio retires after 27 years of service, and Officer Thomas Abarca retires after 8 years of service.

These are four professionals with a lot of experience. "This is a good day for the retirees and we are rich with a positive legacy they leave behind for the department. We thank them and their families. Their retirements are well-deserved", said Chief Mills.

Police Sergeant Michael Harms, Badge 120, retires after 22 years of service. Sergeant Harms started his career as a Santa Cruz Police Officer in the Operations Division working patrol. He served in the Traffic Division, in SWAT, as Honor Guard, and as a Field Training Officer. He worked in Investigations, as a Detective and finished as the Persons Crimes Sergeant.

Sergeant Harms earned the rank of Police Sergeant in 2006 and worked both Operations assignments, which included Patrol and Community Service Patrol. He was instrumental in implementing the Department's first volunteer program and coordinated the first Teen Academy.

Sergeant Bill Azua, Badge 107, retires after 24 years of service.
Sergeant Azua began his career with the Santa Cruz Police Department on January 23,1995 as a Patrol Officer in the Operations Division. Bill has served on the Beach Team, Neighbor Enforcement Team, the Downtown Unit, in the Narcotic Enforcement Task Force and as a Field Training Officer for over 10 years. He worked extensively investigating various gangs and served on the Heroin Task Force. He also served as the homeless shelter liaison, wrote over 300 search warrants, and taught at the Departments Citizen Police Academy for 18 years.

Sergeant Azua was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant in 2015 and worked as a Patrol Sergeant, Parks Sergeant and as a Neighborhood Policing Team Sergeant.

Officer Dominic Guerrasio, Badge 163, who is retiring after 27 years of service. Officer Guerrasio first worked at the Police Department as a Community Service Aide. Dominic was hired as a Police Officer and graduated from the Police Academy in 1992. He started his journey as a Santa Cruz Police Officer in the Operations division working Patrol.

Officer Guerrasio was assigned to the Traffic Unit twice and served as a Trainer and Motor Vehicle Collision Investigator for numerous years. Guerrasio wrapped up his career as a Field Training Officer. 

Officer Thomas Abarca served the city of Santa Cruz for 8 years and also served our country in the Marine Corps. Officer Abarca retires today due to an injury.

On behalf of the men and women of the Santa Cruz Police Department, we thank you for your many years of exemplary service to the people of Santa Cruz, and to the Santa Cruz Police Department. Your service has made a difference in the City of Santa Cruz. The SCPD family express its best wishes to you for a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.

Congratulations and all the best in your future endeavors.

Sergeant Mike Medina Retires After 28 Years

Congratulations and Happy Retirement To Sergeant Medina

Congratulations to Sergeant Mike Medina on his retirement after 28 years of service! The men and women at SCPD thanks you for the many years of dedicated, reliable and resourceful service.

During Mike’s tenure, he served in the Operations Division in the Patrol Section, Investigations Unit, and oversaw the Parks Unit. His duties included Field Training Officer, Investigations, Decoy Trainer for the K-9 Unit and a member of the Swat Team. He started the Bicycle Patrol Program on Pacific Avenue in the early 1990s.

Medina was presented with the Medal of Valor for his actions during the 1989 earthquake, as well as presented with two Hazardous Duty Awards, and one Lifesaving Award. He was promoted to Police Sergeant in 2010.

Sergeant Medina has been an outstanding example of loyalty and has been a tremendous asset to the City of Santa Cruz. His sense of humor will definitely be missed by many inside and outside of the department.

Good luck in all of your future endeavors, Mike!

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.

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

Sergeant Jack McPhillips Retires After 28 Years

Sergeant Jack McPhillips officially retired today after 28 years in the profession.  He signed off on the radio for the last time after our dispatcher read an impressive list of career highlights.  To hear the last radio call click this link:

Sergeant McPhillips joined the Santa Cruz Police Department in February 1989 after two years with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly after beginning his career with SCPD, Sergeant McPhillips found himself on duty during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.  It was during the response to this emergency, he was awarded the department’s Medal of Valor for his actions.  This department photo was taken just a few months prior to the big quake.  Jack can be seen in the middle of this group

In 1990 and again in 1994, Sergeant McPhillips was awarded the “10851” award from the California Highway Patrol and California State Automobile Association for his efforts in recovering stolen cars. 

Throughout his career Sergeant McPhillips was the classic “go to guy”.  He always seemed to have a list of projects and ancillary duties in addition to his regular assignment.

Chief Vogel commented, “Jack is an amazing talent.  In addition to his excellent police work, he did so much for the organization on a day-to-day basis.  There wasn’t an assignment he couldn’t do.  We wish him nothing but the best in his well-earned retirement”. 

Prior to being promoted, Jack worked in the operations division on patrol, downtown officer, and motorcycle traffic officer.  In June 1995, Jack was assigned to the Investigations Unit as a detective.  There, he developed an expertise on the investigation of sexual assaults.

Jack was promoted to Sergeant in February 2000 where he supervised a patrol team, and eventually the Downtown Unit.  In 2003, he was reassigned back to traffic as the supervisor of the unit.

Sergeant McPhillips was assigned as the department’s training manager and coordinator in May, 2008.  In 2011, he was reassigned to Professional Standards where he finished his remarkable career. 

Congratulations to Sergeant Jack McPhillips for an outstanding career.  Enjoy your retirement!

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.  

Lieutenant Colleen McMahon Rides Off to Retirement

Today we say farewell to Lieutenant Colleen McMahon after 24 years of service to our community.  Lieutenant McMahon worked her final shift today, Wednesday June 5, 2013. 

  Photo Courtesy of Dan Coyro

Lieutenant McMahon was hired and sent to the police academy in February 1989.  She graduated the academy and became a police officer in July 1989, just months before the Loma Prieta Earthquake.  She was promoted to Sergeant in September 1995.  As Sergeant, Colleen supervised Patrol teams, the Downtown Unit, Internal Affairs and the Neighborhood Enforcement Team.

Colleen was promoted to Lieutenant in March 2003.  As a Watch Commander, for many years Lieutenant McMahon focused problem solving activities on the West and Beach beat areas.

Throughout her career, Lieutenant McMahon enjoyed many opportunities.  She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, ATV riding instructor, and Dive Team Commander.  Her community involvement includes her work in the department’s PRIDE Program, Teen Public Safety Academy, a Board Member for the Fallen Officer’s Foundation, and spearheading Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run throughout the county.

Lieutenant McMahon also enjoyed some “firsts”, such as; first female motorcycle Officer, first School Resource Officer.

With her passion for motorcycles and running, it is only fitting to borrow a phrase from Neil Young, and say, “Long May You Run” Colleen, “Long May You Run”.   Job Well Done!

We will leave you with a link to the song and the thought of you riding off on your motorcycle.  

http://goo.gl/MnzMJ