Update: Effective the pay period that began on March 14, 2026, the salary for all classifications in the Police Officer Association increased by 4%. This job posting has been updated to reflect this increase.
The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Community Service Officer candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.
The Community Service Officer is a non-sworn position does not require previous law enforcement experience.
Each and every employee in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Applicants must complete and submit passing POST Reading and Writing Test Battery (PELLETB) results with a score of 46 or higher.
Attach verification of your POST Pellet-B T Score of 46 taken in calendar years 2025 or 2026 to your job application OR locate a test site and date for the POST Pellet B Exam here: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/
What is a PELLETB? PELLETB stands for “POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery." This is a standardized written exam used by law enforcement agencies in California to assess the reading, writing, and reasoning abilities of candidates and is recommended by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
What is a passing score? A T-score of 46.0
or higher is considered a passing score for the City of Santa Cruz.
How do I take the PELLETB? For exam dates and locations visit https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/
Already taken and passed the PELLETB? If you have taken the exam in calendar years 2025 or 2026, and have a score of 46 or higher, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official letter verifying your test results to your City of Santa Cruz application.
How do I prepare? Check out
Copy of PELLT-B Study Resources (Download PDF reader) or visit https://post.ca.gov/LE-Entry-Level-Test-Battery-Applicant-FAQs
For more information or questions: For additional general information on the POST PELLETB exams, please visit:www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests.For more information about the position, contact the Santa Cruz Police Department recruiting team at (831) 420-5801. To schedule a ride-along with an officer or tour the Police Department, go to the Police Department webpage. For application questions, email the City of Santa Cruz Human Resources Department at
[email protected].
Recruitment # 25-PD-06
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
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APPLY NOW with required application materials:
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Application- apply online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out an application form completely. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.
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Responses to the supplemental questions
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Candidates must submit with their application the following test results: POST PELLETB t-score of 46.0 or higher.
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Application screening will be conducted continuously: Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position plus PELLETB T-score and results.
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Request to submit Personal History Statement: Candidates with a fully completed application who meet Minimum Qualifications and attached passing POST T-scores will to submit a Non-Sworn version of the Personal History Statement form (Download PDF reader) (NS-PHS) within 14 calendar days of notification. This is a lengthy document; if you wish to work on this ahead of time, the form is available on the City website. See our agency's customized instructions on filling out and submitting the NS-PHS. You must wait until requested to submit a Personal History Statement, but you may review the form and reasons for disqualification and work on this document ahead of time here City website, Candidates who successfully pass review of their Personal History Statement will proceed as follows:
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Oral Interview Panel
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Background Investigation and polygraph examination (see below)
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Interview with the Chief of Police
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Psychological Examination (see below)
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Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening) (see below)
PAY INCENTIVES? Yes, there are pay incentives!
HIRING BONUS: New Community Service Officers are eligible to receive a $5,000 bonus paid out as follows: $1000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1500 upon successful completion of probation, and $2500 at 2.5 years post hire.
EMPLOYEE REFERAL INCENTIVES: If you were referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee, please be sure to check the "City Employee" box where the application asks for the recruitment source and provide the referring employee name(s) as well. The referring employee's name(s)
must be listed on the application for consideration for the employee to receive the referral incentive.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST
An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions: problem-solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self-improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure and physical ability.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT POLICY REGARDING ILLEGAL USE
OR POSSESSION OF DRUGS
The following types of drug use or possession will be considered towards the disqualification of candidates in the pre-employment selection process for all police department applicants:
A) Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven (7) years prior to application for employment. (LSD, PCP, XTC, And other designer drugs)
B) Any adult use or possession of marijuana, or derivative within one year prior to application for employment.
C) Any other illegal adult use or possession of a drug listed below in the designated time frame prior to application for employment.
Cocaine 7 Years
Amphetamines 7 Years
Meth amphetamines 7 Years
Heroin 7 Years
D) Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug while employed in the capacity of a police officer, licensed security officer, military police, or as a student enrolled in college accredited courses of/or related to the criminal justice field.
E) As an adult, any illegal manufacturing or cultivating of a drug.
F) Failure to divulge to the Police Department during the background investigation any information about personal use or possession of drugs.
The disqualification of a police department candidate for the following types of illegal drug use or possession will be considered in relationship to the overall background of that individual:
A) Any illegal juvenile use or possession of a drug.
B) Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug that does not meet the criteria of the considered disqualifiers specified above; e.g., illegal usage of prescribed or non-prescribed medication or any illegal substance used by the means of injection (Steroids will be considered on a case by case basis only if the above timeline restrictions outlined in section one above has been met)
DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be able to obtain by time of hire and continue to maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under general supervision, patrols public areas; issues citations or verbal warnings for municipal code violations; writes police reports; reports criminal code violations to sworn officers; performs low risk investigations, including interviews and evidence processing; performs public contact work in crime prevention; and performs other duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is distinguished from the Police Officer classification in that it is a non-sworn position and does not carry firearms. Community Service Officers provide assistance to sworn officers by performing a variety of lower risk police department functions.
