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City of Santa Maria Police Department

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While we can tell you everything you want to know about our department here in our website, we encourage you to check out our presence on social media. You will get a good feel for our culture, community, and department on a daily basis.

Why Do People Move To Santa Maria?

Established businesses are prospering and expanding, and new businesses continue to arrive and make investments in the community. The growing area enjoys excellent weather, affordability, close proximity to the mountains and beaches, wineries, shopping, good jobs, good schools. 

Santa Maria remains a more affordable location to buy or rent a home than other locations on the Central Coast. Its median home sales price was a record $460,000 in 2021, up 11.9 percent from the prior year, according to the Santa Maria Association of Realtors.

Check Out The Amazing Developments Happening Today.

Residential and commercial development activity remains brisk. Development activity resulted in $97 million in valuation for 2020 and $88 million in 2021. In 2022, there is significant residential construction activity and the city may see more than 5,000 units in the next five years.

Santa Maria has a diverse economy based on agriculture, commercial, and manufacturing, in addition to education, health care, tourism, oil production and government. In recent years, the City has experienced positive trends in most economic segments led by consumer spending, construction spending, and increased property values. Construction activity has increased significantly.

Downtown Fridays, in its sixth year as of 2022, draws thousands of people downtown to shop and find live entertainment. Retail construction includes new stores at Enos Ranch West, just off Betteravia Road – an arterial road from Highway 101. Tenants include an Aldi’s grocery store, Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant, Chipotle, Boot Barn, Guitar Center and more.

Less than one mile east on Betteravia Road and overlooking Highway 101 is the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, inside the new Coast Hills building, helping to meet the region’s skilled workforce needs. Allan Hancock College continues to modernize its Santa Maria campus, using the remaining $180 million approved by voters in 2006. Tesla built a supercharging station at the Santa Maria Town Center. Many new apartments have been built and more are on the way.

Jul 07, 2026
Full time
Police Officer Trainee Santa Maria
$73,892 yearly
City of Santa Maria Police Department Santa Maria, CA
Open: Continuous Physical Agility/PELLETB Testing: Monthly  Interview Date: TBD  Anticipated Start Date: Approx. 4-5 weeks before academy start date ****Applicants for this Police Trainee recruitment may attend the early Spring 2025 or Fall 2025 academy at the Allan Hancock College Lompoc Campus. *THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALL CANDIDATES WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN TO A BASIC CA LAW  ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY* Please contact staff in the Training and Recruitment Bureau at 805-928-3781 x2144 for specific job-related questions. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties, please call the NEOGOV help line for technical assistance at 1-877-204-4442.   Santa Maria Police Department Recruitment Website The City of Santa Maria is the largest city in the Santa Barbara County (located on the central coast) with a population of over 100,000. This growing department currently has 165 sworn and non-sworn personnel. Come join our...
Jul 07, 2026
Full time
Police Officer - Academy Graduate Santa Maria
$8,171 monthly
City of Santa Maria Police Department Santa Maria, CA
ACADEMY GRADUATE INCENTIVES $5,000 hiring incentive ($2,500 at time of hire / $2,500 upon successful completion probation, 12 months).  Relocation incentive for candidates outside of the area.  OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS: Assistance through the recertification course may be available. Please see the SELECTION PROCESS below for required attachment(s) to the electronic application. Applicants will not be able to "submit" the application, without first electronically attaching the required documents. The City of Santa Maria is the largest city in the Santa Barbara County (located on the central coast) with a population of over 100,000. This growing department currently has 180 sworn and non-sworn personnel. Come join our hard working and innovative team!   If you have further job-related questions please contact staff in the Training and Recruitment Bureau at 805-928-3781 x2144. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related)...
Jul 07, 2026
Full time
Police Officer Lateral Santa Maria
$8,171 monthly
City of Santa Maria Police Department Santa Maria, CA
Closing Date: Continuous  Interview Date: TBD Second Interview Date: TBD  Desired Start Date: TBD OPPORTUNITY   LATERAL INCENTIVES (as of August 2021): $20,000 hiring incentive ($10k at time of hire / $5k upon successful completion of FTP / $5k upon successful completion of probation, 12 months). $2500 relocation incentive. Credit for full years of service with most recent agency (for vacation accrual purposes). PERS ret. 3% at 55 (if coming from another PERS agency) 4/10 plan for sworn personnel Preloaded 80 hours vacation upon hire.  Preloaded 80 hours sick time upon hire.  OUT-OF-STATE LATERAL APPLICANTS: Assistance through the recertification course may be available.   The City of Santa Maria is the largest city in the Santa Barbara County (located on the central coast) with a population of over 100,000. This growing department currently has 180 sworn and non-sworn personnel. Come...
Jul 07, 2026
Full time
Lateral Dispatcher Santa Maria
$7,005 monthly
City of Santa Maria Police Department Santa Maria, CA
The City of Santa Maria has an exciting opportunity for Lateral Dispatchers!  (Note:  The Dispatcher II (Lateral Dispatcher) is distinguished from the Dispatcher I in that the former is journey level and possesses two years of dispatch experience in a law enforcement agency, and functions under limited supervision as opposed to direct supervision and training .) LATERAL INCENTIVE:  $6,000 hiring incentive to lateral Dispatchers with a valid POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate $2k at time of hire    $2k upon successful completion of training  $2k upon successful completion of probation Credit for full time service with a POST recognized agency (for vacation accrual purposes) 7% Longevity Pay for employees with ten (10) years of sworn law enforcement service 10% Longevity Pay for employees with twenty (20) years of sworn law enforcement service See  POA MOU...