SCPD Announces Promotion Of Sergeant Dan Forbus

The Santa Cruz Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of Detective Dan Forbus to the rank of Sergeant.

Sergeant Forbus, an 11-year veteran of the department, will be assigned to the Operations Division. “Sergeant Forbus brings a wealth of experience to this position and will be a welcomed addition to an already strong group of sergeants," said Chief Mills. "Dan has outstanding leadership qualities and professional skills that will contribute to the continued success of our department."

Over the course of his career, Sergeant Forbus worked in various assignments including patrol, the Down Town Unit, Field Training Officer, Investigations and a member of the Honor Guard. Forbus is a highly skilled investigator and often at the heart of the significant and most serious cases affecting the Santa Cruz community.

Dan born and raised in Santa Cruz comes from a family tradition steeped in law enforcement. His father is retired Deputy Don Forbus, and his older brother Sergeant Dave Forbus works for SCPD as well. Dan is married with two children and lives in Santa Cruz.

Sergeant Forbus also excels as a teacher and mentor by working with high school students as a Criminal Justice ROP instructor. He also volunteers to teach in the department’s PRIDE Program, Teen Public Safety Academy, and Citizen’s Academies.

Chief Andrew Mills said “Sergeant is one of the most important roles in our organization. I’m confident that Sergeant Forbus will be successful in his new post.”

Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Sergeant Forbus on achieving a significant milestone in his career.

Santa Cruz Police Veteran Officer Erich Hoppe Promoted To Police Sergeant

The Santa Cruz Police Department announces the promotion of Officer Erich Hoppe to the rank of Police Sergeant. Chief Andrew Mills commented, “Sergeant Hoppe has continuously demonstrated a commitment to serving our community through his outstanding work ethic, leadership, and professionalism.”

Over the past 15 years Officer Hoppe worked in the Santa Cruz Police Department’s Operations Division and has been assigned to Patrol, Downtown Unit, Street Crimes Unit, Neighborhood Enforcement Team and served as a Field Training Officer. Sergeant Hoppe has a strong background in Community Policing and was involved in many complex neighborhood problem-solving cases during his years in the Downtown Unit, Street Crimes Unit and the Neighborhood Enforcement Team.

Sergeant Hoppe is also a founding member of the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team and is a firearms instructor for the department. He has tactical training and experience to teach other department members. Additionally, Sergeant Hoppe assists in planning ESU team operations and coordinating his patrol team’s responses to critical incidents.

With strong ties to the Santa Cruz community, Sergeant Hoppe built relationships with a wide variety of community members, neighborhood groups, business owners, other public agencies and local leaders. He lives in the community with his wife and daughter and looks forward to using his skills, experience and community ties to effectively lead a patrol team in improving quality of life issues in Santa Cruz.

Chief Andrew Mills stated, “We were fortunate to have six very competitive and capable candidates. Erich distinguished himself as a leader who is ready to assume a patrol sergeant’s position”.

Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Sergeant Hoppe on achieving a significant milestone in his career.

Announcing the Promotion of Sergeant Carter Jones

The Santa Cruz Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of Sergeant Carter Jones. 

Sergeant Jones is an 11 ½ year veteran of the police department.  Carter has served in a variety of assignments and is a recognized expert in a number of disciplines. He was most recently assigned as a Field Training Officer in patrol. 

In addition to his Patrol and Field Training duties, Carter takes on a number of additional responsibilities.  He serves as a rescue diver on the police department’s dive team and an operator on the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team (SWAT).  Over his tenure at the police department, Sergeant Jones has served in the Street Crimes Unit, as a peer counselor, K-9 agitator, firearms instructor, and is also a member of the Santa Cruz County Tactical Medical Task Force.

Sergeant Jones has earned the department’s DUI Award on two different occasions.  He was also a recipient of the prestigious Lifesaving Award stemming from an incident where he helped a family get out of a burning vehicle before it was fully engulfed in flames.

Carter was born and raised in Santa Cruz, where he graduated from Soquel High School.  He attended Sonoma State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in American multicultural studies.  

Carter is an avid travel enthusiast and also spends his free time volunteering as a faculty member at the John O. Moseley Collegiate Leadership School.

Sergeant Jones was featured in our "Get to Know" blog post from 2011, here:

http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/2011/05/get-to-know-officer-carter-jones.html

Sergeants serve as the first-line supervisors for specialized units and patrol teams.  Their role is incredibly important in the day to day operations and the delivery of service to the community.  Daily, they are called upon to teach, train, mentor and direct Police Officers, as well as strategize, problem-solve and direct the team’s activities. 

Carter’s leadership, experience and character will serve the community well in his new position. 

Congratulations to Sergeant Carter Jones.    

Congratulations to Wes Morey, our Newest Police Sergeant

The Santa Cruz Police Department is proud to announce a Christmas promotion of Wes Morey to Police Sergeant. 

When Wes came to work today, he had no idea he would be coming to work as a Patrol Officer and leaving as a Sergeant!!!  Just a little Christmas surprise from the Chief!   

Sergeant Wes Morey is a 12 ½ year veteran of the Police Department.  Wes has broad range of experience with expertise in investigations and traffic.   Wes has worked as a traffic officer with expertise in collision and DUI investigations.  He has also worked as a detective in the Investigations Unit, developing an expertise in Crime Scene analysis. 

Wes is a true Santa Cruz local, graduating from Soquel High School in 1996. 

Prior to being hired as a Police Officer, Wes served in the United States Marine Corps 1^st Tank Battalion, out of Twenty Nine Palms, CA. 

The Sergeant is a critically important position in our organization.  As the first-line supervisor, they are there to ensure service delivery to the community and the safety of their teams.   

Chief Kevin Vogel stated, “We are proud to promote Wes into this critical position.  Wes has a proven track record of performance and dedication to the organization, and will serve the community well.”

Please join us in congratulating our newest Sergeant, Wes Morey!