Community Service Officer

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 that 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:

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).

A T-score of 46.0 or higher is considered a passing score for the City of Santa Cruz.

For exam dates and locations visit

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.

Check out Copy of PELLT-B Study Resources or visit

For additional general information on the POST PELLETB exams, please visit  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 HR.

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.

• with required application materials:
• Application – apply online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out an application form completely. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.
• Responses to the supplemental questions
• Candidates must submit with their application the following test results: POST PELLETB t-score of 46.0 or higher.
• Application screening will be conducted continuously:
  Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position plus PELLETB T-score and results.
  • Request…