Transparency Portal

The California Public Records Act was enacted in 1968, with the primary goals of creating more government accountability, and disclosing industry practices and procedures to increase the public’s understanding of how agencies work. It is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in the State of California to have access to information concerning the conduct of governmental agencies. Further, the Santa Cruz Police Department believes that every person has a right to inspect any public record. In keeping with that belief, the Santa Cruz Police Department has created the California Public Records Act Portal to provide equal access to public records.

To request information under the California Public Records Act, you can do any of the following:

1. Visit the City Clerk's website
2. Request information in person by visiting the Santa Cruz Police Department at 155 Center Street, Santa Cruz, Ca. Monday - Friday from 9 am - 4 pm
3. Call the Santa Cruz Police Department's Records Division at (831) 420-5870
4. Complete & sign a Record Request Form:
   • Record Request Form (English)(PDF, 307KB)
   • Record Request Form (Spanish)(PDF, 269KB)
5. Submit the Record Request Form via Mail (Santa Cruz PD 155 Center St. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060) or via email (pdrecords@santacruzca.gov)

Michael J. Gennaco
7142 Trask Ave
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
323-821-0586
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com

In January of 2003, the City Council created the Independent Police Auditor position. The auditor is charged with providing independent reviews of the citizen complaint process and reviewing and making recommendations regarding Police Department policies and practices.

Specifically, the Independent Police Auditor is responsible for the following:

• Review of Police Department Internal Affairs Investigations
• Review of Officer Involved Shootings
• Review of Police Department Policies and Procedures
• Independent Investigation of Citizen Complaints
• Reports to the City Council
• Being accessible to the Santa Cruz Community

The Public Safety Committee evaluates the activities of the Independent Police Auditor. This committee comprises three councilmembers and it is charged with the review of public safety issues.

Initiating a Citizen's Comment or Complaint

A comment or complaint may be filed if you have comments or concerns about specific Police conduct or actions. File comment or complaint. Any aggrieved party, friend, victim, family member or other third party who witnesses an incident thought to merit a comment or complaint can file. If a comment or complaint is filed, it is forwarded to the Professional Standards Unit and a supervisor will be assigned to conduct a formal investigation. The final investigation is forwarded to the Police Auditor for review. The investigation is reviewed for thoroughness, objectivity and to ensure that the evidence supports the finding. A citizen complaint is separate from any civil or criminal action. Once the investigation is complete, you will be notified of the results.

Comments or complaints about Police conduct or services should be submitted by mail, in person, or Community Comment Form to the Police Department using a Santa Cruz Police Department Citizen Comment Form. These forms are available at the Santa Cruz Police Department, the Independent Police Auditor's Office, or the City Clerk's Office.

The Police Auditor is available to meet with members of the public on an appointment basis by calling 323-821-0586. He can also be contacted via email at: michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com.

Annual Report

• 2025 City of Santa Cruz Independent Police Auditor 5th Annual Report(PDF, 2MB)

Assembly Bill No. 485

Santa Cruz Police Department takes all hate incidents seriously. We are committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive community for all. If you have been a victim of a hate crime or hate incident in the City of Santa Cruz, we encourage you to report the incident to Santa Cruz Police. For emergencies, call 9-1-1 and non-emergency line: (831) 471-1131.

Assembly Bill 481

On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law seven major peace officer reform bills, including Assembly Bill 481. AB 481 was authored by Assembly member David Chieu (D-San Francisco) to address the funding, acquisition, and use of items lawmakers deemed to be considered “military equipment.”

This bill requires law enforcement agencies, including the Santa Cruz Police Department, “to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by adoption of a military equipment use policy, as specified, by ordinance at a regular meeting held pursuant to specified open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as defined.” Read the full text of AB 481.

• The AB 481 defined list of military equipment* currently in SCPD's possession is included in the Military Equipment Policy 705(PDF, 349KB)  as well as each item's purpose, authorized use, expected lifespan and fiscal impact.

  * The Santa Cruz Police Department has not obtained, nor does it utilize, any equipment procured from the military or the United States Department of Defense Law Enforcement Support Program (also known as the 1028 or 1033 program). 

• Members of the public may also register complaints or concerns or submit questions about the use of each specific type of military equipment by contacting Chief Bernie Escalante via email at bescalante@santacruzca.gov or phone at (831) 420-5810 or submit a AB 481 Community Feedback Form

• An Annual Report includes the use of military equipment, any complaints received, any internal audits or other information about violations of SCPD Policy 705, the cost of such use and other similar information. AB 481 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report SCPD(PDF, 528KB)

Public Input Regarding AB 481

As required for transparency, SCPD uploads written documents on this website 30-days prior to a public meeting to meet the requirements of AB 481. In addition, SCPD engages in multiple public forums to gather input and discussion on AB 481.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420 -5810, or by contacting Chief Bernie Escalante via email at bescalante@santacruzca.gov with any questions or concerns regarding AB 481. Also, visit the City of Santa Cruz webpage for information on all upcoming council meetings.

If you would like to look through the Santa Cruz Police Department Policy Manual, you can view it here:

• Policy Manual(PDF, 17MB)

Santa Cruz Police Departments Authorized Uniforms 

• SANTA-CRUZ-POLICE-DEPARTMENT-AUTHORIZED-UNIFORMS.pdf(PDF, 519KB)