What Santa Cruz PD pays
How we get pay dataTop of scale
$152,076
Posting · verified Oct 1, 2026Lateral start
—
Not publishedTracked since Oct 1, 2026. We keep every figure a posting has ever stated, so changes show here.
Hiring bonus
$20,000 for certified laterals, payments of $5,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $5,000 at 1.5 years post hire, $5,000 at 2.5 years post hire, and $5,000 at 3.5 years post hire.
Newly hired Lateral Police Officers will receive up to $20,000 in payments of $5,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $5,000 at 1.5 years post hire, $5,000 at 2.5 years post hire, and $5,000 at 3.5 years post hire.Job posting · verified Oct 1, 2026 · sourceOpen jobs at Santa Cruz PD
Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer
Santa Cruz, CACloses Dec 31, 2026$20,000 bonus$102,936startingPolice Officer Trainee
Santa Cruz, CACloses Dec 31, 2026$10,000 bonus$86,772startingPolice Officer (Academy Graduate / Lateral)
Santa Cruz, CAContinuousNot published
Requirements
From the department's postings- Minimum age21
- EducationHigh school or GED
- Certification required to applyYes
- Schedulerotating shifts including nights and weekends
- Academy paid by departmentYes
How Santa Cruz PD compares nearby
All 6 Santa Cruz Area agencies2 nearby departments start higher than Santa Cruz PD.
| Department | Status | Starting pay | vs Santa Cruz | Bonus | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz PD | Hiring | $86,772 | — | $20,000 | |
| Watsonville PD | Hiring | $100,256 | +$13,484 | None | |
| Santa Cruz County Sheriff | Not posting | Not published | — | None | |
| Capitola PD | Hiring | Not published | — | None | |
| Scotts Valley PD | Hiring | $101,280 | +$14,508 | None | |
| Monte Sereno PD | Not posting | Not published | — | None |
CopJobs is not affiliated with Santa Cruz Police Department. Figures come from public postings; each shows its source and the date we read it. Work at Santa Cruz PD? Update this page free.