Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Bernie Escalante has been appointed to serve as the Chief, effective April 30, 2022.
A Santa Cruz native, Escalante is a 25-year veteran of the Santa Cruz Police Department, having started his career as a community service officer in 1996.
Since then, he served as a patrol officer, sergeant, detective and tactical team leader, among other assignments. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2009, where he managed the Investigations Division and was the Commander of the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team. He was also the primary lieutenant in the Neighborhood Policing Unit.
He was appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief in February 2020.
“Bernie understands the unique challenges that the City of Santa Cruz and the dedicated officers of the Police Department face every day. I know that Bernie is up to this enormous challenge because he has successfully led the department as our Interim Chief for the past six months. In addition, Bernie’s depth of law enforcement experience, high ethical standards, and knowledge of our community make him an excellent choice to be our next Police Chief,” said Huffaker.
Huffaker conducted a community survey in March that garnered more than 400 responses and two internal surveys, one for Police Department employees and another offered Citywide.
“I am pleased that Bernie has stepped up to be our next Chief. He has grown up in Santa Cruz, and is highly respected in our community and within the Police Department. We heard from our community that integrity, experience and a deep understanding of our City are important characteristics. I strongly believe Bernie is committed and embodies all these values and will prioritize them into practice in his new role,” said Mayor Sonja Brunner.
“My first priorities will be building our staffing and expanding on the trusting community relationships and innovative problem-solving brought to Santa Cruz by Chief Mills,” he stated. “I am constantly impressed by the dedication and professionalism of our law enforcement team here in Santa Cruz, and I am honored to lead this dynamic department as Chief.”
Escalante grew up on the west side of Santa Cruz. He went to Santa Cruz High, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from San Francisco State, and continued to play baseball. Escalante went on to get a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego. He completed the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Law Enforcement Command College in 2014.
Our Police Chiefs over the Years
| Santa Cruz Police Chiefs |
Years of Service |
| Bernie Escalante |
2021-Present |
| Andrew Mills |
2017-2021 |
| Kevin Vogel |
2010-2017 |
| Howard Skerry |
2003-2010 |
| Steve Belcher |
1994-2003 |
| Jack Bassett |
1982-1994 |
| Gino Pini |
1957-1982 |
| Al Huntsman |
1933-1956 |
| Ora Dunlop |
1932-1933 |
| E.B. Kaler |
1930-1932 |
| William Walker |
1929-1930 |
| E.B. Kaler |
1925-1929 |
| Frank K. Hannah |
1914-1925 |
| M.C. Jones |
1912-1914 |
| Hugh Daughery |
1910-1912 |
| J.E. Armstrong |
1906-1910 |
| W.W. "Will" Clark |
1904-1906 |
| Matt Rawle |
1890-1904 |
| J.E. Armstrong |
1889-1890 |
| Amos Lunt |
1888-1889 |
| W.W. "Will" Clark |
1886-1888 |
| Joseph W. Scott |
1884-1886 |
| Myron Sacket Paterson |
1882-1884 |
| S.J. Taintor |
1882 |
| Robet Liddel |
1867-1882 |