Be The Difference.
We are looking for people who want to make a difference in people’s lives, and the community they serve.
Creative thinking, ethical decision-making, and maturity are traits we are looking for in those looking to join our team.
See what we offer in terms of assignments, training, and culture.
Meet the command staff who lead the men and women of Santa Maria PD.
Learn more about the city of Santa Maria and why people live here.
See what we offer in terms of assignments, training, and culture.
Meet the command staff who lead the men and women of Santa Maria PD.
Learn more about the city of Santa Maria and why people live here.
If You Are Considering A Career in
Law Enforcement, Consider The
Santa Maria Police Department.
“I have spent the totality of my fifteen-year career at SMPD. In that time, I have been given the opportunity to complete every special assignment…”
“I started my career with the Santa Maria Police Department in 2014. I took the leap from dispatch and became an officer because the Department…”
“As a teenager, I was part of the Santa Maria Police Department Explorer Program. This program helped me tremendously with becoming a …”
“I have spent the totality of my fifteen-year career at SMPD. In that time, I have been given the opportunity to complete every special assignment…”
“I started my career with the Santa Maria Police Department in 2014. I took the leap from dispatch and became an officer because the Department…”
“As a teenager, I was part of the Santa Maria Police Department Explorer Program. This program helped me tremendously with becoming a …”
Why Santa Maria PD?
The Santa Maria Police Department offers a generous employment package consisting of great salary and benefits.
Police Officer Trainee
$5,635.24 – $6,849.68
Police Officer Lateral
$6,917.17 – $8,407.88
Dispatcher Lateral
$5,989.21 – $7,279.91
%
Education Incentive
%
Specialty Assignment
%
Longevity
The Road to The Shield
Becoming a police officer at the Santa Maria Police Department is a lengthy, but extremely important process. We want professionals with a strong work ethic who desire to be part of a team, are community and service orientated, and have strong communication skills.
Apply
Submit an application on line.
Testing
Successfully pass our qualification exams.
Academy
Complete the police academy.
Training
Complete the field training program.
Probation
Complete 18-month probation.
Apply
Submit an application on line.
Testing
Successfully pass our qualification exams.
Academy
Complete the police academy.
Training
Complete the field training program.
Probation
Complete 18-month probation.
Your Success
We want to help you succeed in our testing process, so we created a section on our website covering the different testing and hiring phases.
The Written Exam
One of the very first steps in the hiring process, the written examination is designed to evaluate your skills of comprehension, retention, and interpretation. The best preparation you can do for yourself is to regularly read articles, books, and documents in the English language from a variety of sources and covering a broad range of topics…
The Physical Agility Test
A career as a line-level patrol officer, is not for the faint of heart – or weak of muscle. Without even considering the elements of engaging in physical contact, or chasing a fleeing suspect on foot, the position requires you to work long hours with several pounds of gear packed around your body daily, twist and maneuver in and out of a patrol vehicle multiple times per shift, as well as sit for extended periods to type…
The Oral Interview
As you progress through the hiring process, we will be taking a closer look at who you are and what you are about. You should do the same for us! Take some time to do research about the department through open source information, and learn as much as you can about us…
