It's not just a career
it's a calling
SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
IS HIRING
Hiring Incentives
$20,000 – $40,000
Plus significant merit-based incentives (up to 18% plus MORE) for special assignments, longevity, education, experience, and more! View below!
Compensation Summary Flyer
Wages:
Earn up to $162,195/year with Base Pay and Incentives
$96,312 – $117,060 Base Salary
$46.30 – $56.27 p/h
$41.67 for Academy Attendees/Recruit
Up to 24% more based on assignments and certifications
Longevity Incentive Pay – Additional 18%:
5% at 5 Years / 5% at 6 years / 3% at 10 years / 5% at 20 years
Premium Pay Examples:
Bilingual Pay (Spanish and English: 5% of base salary)
Night Shift Differential: $23.45
POST Certificate Incentive Pay:
3.5% Intermediate / 3.5% Advanced
3% Master Officer Incentive Pay
5% Special Assignment Pay
Additional Pay/Assignments:
Motorcycle Patrol Premium: 5% of Base Salary
Canine Officer Premium: 5% of Base Salary
Detective Division Premium: 5% of Base Salary, plus on-call Compensation
Crime Scene Investigator Premium: 5% of Base Salary
Field Training Officer Training Premium: 5% of Base Salary
Gang Detail (Violence Suppression Task Force) Assignment Premium: 5% of Base Salary
Four-hour minimum Court Appearance Pay
Special Assignment Pay (Special Assignment Pay while Performing Additional Responsibilities)
Temporary Upgrade (Special Assignment Pay While Working Out of Class)
Benefits:
Rotating 10:40 Schedule
Generous Vacation
14 Paid Holidays
Health, Dental, Vision (95% Medical and 100% Dental & Vision)
Single/Employee Only
Two Party/Employee + one Dependent
Family/Employee + 2 or more Dependents
95% of the premium paid, up to a maximum of 95% of the PERS Choice plan premium for Single/Employee (94.5% of the plan premium for two party plan or 95% of the plan premium for Employee plus 2 or more Dependents)
Long Term Disability Insurance
$1,200 Annual Uniform Allowance
Paid Training
Academy Tuition
Additional Benefits
On-site state-of-the-art Workout Room
Annual Leave (accrues over the course of a year)
Bereavement Leave
CalPERS Public Pension Fund (Public Employee Retirement Plan)
Master Police Officer Program
Tuition Assistance
POST Certificate Pay:
- Intermediate Certificate: An employee who has a POST Intermediate Certificate shall receive a premium pay of three and a half percent (3.5%) of base salary
- Advanced Certificate: An employee who has a POST Advanced Certificate shall receive a premium pay of three and a half percent (3.5%) of base salary, in addition to POST Intermediate Certificate Pay (3.5%), for a total of seven percent (7%) of base salary
Officer Wellness & Support
Your Health and Wellness is our Priority
The Salinas Police Department continues to make significant strides to ensure it has the foundational support to expand upon and incorporate a successful Wellness Program. In 2022, we received the Law Enforcement Mental Health & Wellness Act (LEMHWA) grant. The Wellness Program is a critical component to providing the infrastructure to improve and maintain department members’ emotional and physical health and assist with retention.
Peer Support Program
The Peer Support Program is comprised of civilian and sworn personnel who have answered the call to help their fellow employees. The Peer Support Team members attend a 40-hour certification course and receive specialized training in a variety of areas which includes stress and anger management, mental illnesses, substance abuse, marital/family issues, suicide prevention, and general counseling skills.
The overall goal of the Peer Support Program is to be a pillar of support for the members of SPD. The team is trained to recognize early warning signs that can escalate to potential problems. With appropriate referrals, whether within or outside of the department, the team is equipped to provide suitable guidance in a strictly confidential manner.
The mission of this program is to facilitate a healthy and compassionate work environment for both sworn and civilian personnel. It will support our fellow brothers and sisters through their personal and professional struggles by guiding them to the assistance they may need.
Wellness App
A Wellness App implemented in 2023 that includes: (a) self-assessment tools covering alcohol abuse, anger, depression, and more; (b) continually updated videos and guides on over 60 behavioral health issues; and (c) links to local resources and services. The Wellness App is customized with SPD’s images, has one-touch calling to peer support team members, and provides confidential, encrypted access and use. The mobile wellness app is in its final stages and developed by Cordico, a division of Lexipol.
SPD’s Chaplaincy Program
SPD’s chaplaincy program will be expanded by adding at least six members from diverse faiths. The chaplains’ main role will continue to be support – especially in times of crisis – through counseling, individual support, referrals, expanded crisis intervention, and enhanced police-community relations to deepen community involvement. Chaplains will receive SPD uniforms, protective gear, and POST-certified training from the California Practical Chaplain Association.
Advanced Training of SPD Personnel
Advanced training will be provided for SPD personnel in the areas of stress management, resilience development, wellness, and other related topics. We will be expanding the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM/Peer Support Team) and offering additional training opportunities. This team provides mentoring and one-on-one support.
Master Police Officer Program
At 8 years – 3% and additional 2% at 12 years for a total of 5%
A Master Police Officer Program was established in January 2017 for employees that satisfy all of the following criteria:
- An overall performance evaluation rating of meets standards or better for the period most recently evaluated.
- At least 12 years of law enforcement experience as a sworn police officer.
Possession of an Advanced POST Certificate. - Completion of at least 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) within five years or if CIT training is older than five years, completion of approved refresher training within five years.
- Current performance of at least one (1) of the following collateral duties/special assignments with the Salinas Police Department:
- Canine Officer
- Violence Suppression Unit/Gang Task Force (Gang Detail
Assignment) - Detective Division/Police Investigator
- Training Instructor (e.g., defensive tactics, less lethal, EVOC, use of force, etc.)
- Range Master
- Police Activities League (Police Liaison/Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
- Traffic Detail / Motorcycle Patrol
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Field Training Officer
Salinas police Department
Our Family. Your Future.
Welcome to the Salinas Police Department’s Recruitment website. We are a full-service law enforcement agency with an authorized 161 sworn officers and 52 authorized civilian support staff, including 14 community service officers. Our department is tasked with keeping approximately 163,542 residents safe over a sprawling 23.2 square mile geographical area.
Being a police officer in Salinas, California means something. It means that when you join our department, you become part of our police services family. It means being able to trust one another. It means having the opportunity to advance your skills while allowing you to follow through with your assignments from start to finish. It means participating in what policing really is. It means being respected and appreciated. It means having a commitment to serve our community with excellence and integrity. It means representing this same community which is committed to better tomorrows. It means camaraderie among your fellow officers that simply cannot be beat.
In 2022, our officers answered 112,820 calls for service and our department assisted an additional 13,540 front desk customers. We are proud that for 90.4% of the high priority calls for service, there was an officer on-scene within 4 minutes or less.
Salinas Police Department is seeking highly qualified, motivated and diverse candidates to join SPD’s finest. Our department offers a myriad of exciting career opportunities within a supportive and rewarding work environment, where people can thrive and reach their full potential while making a positive difference in their own life and in the lives of others. We look forward to meeting you!
Salinas Strong
We Strive for Excellence.
That’s why we take our work very seriously. It’s why we lead by example and are committed to cultivating the following characteristics within our department:
- fairness
- honesty
- integrity
- patience
- empathy
- enthusiasm
- compassion
- competency
- transparency
- understanding
- trustworthiness
- a love for the community of Salinas
- a passion for keeping our neighbors and loved ones safe
The K9 Unit is a vital component of the Patrol Division and assists with operations, including searches of building or other areas. Specialized K9s also assist with the detection of electronics, narcotics and firearms. In 2022, our K9 Teams were responsible for 130 deployments and 75 items of contraband (either narcotics or firearms) were discovered.
Online Application Process
At Salinas Police Department, we’ve simplified our hiring process as much as possible, which enables you to begin our online application process immediately and get in touch with one of our sworn recruitment officers quickly. It is a priority for us to reach more diverse applicants and remove barriers that may prevent excellent candidates from applying.
Simply scan the QR code, email us at spdrecruitment@ci.salinas.ca.us, or apply now at Neogov.
Tired of waiting on callbacks?
Connect with us and one of our officers will get back to you asap!
Live Local. Serve Local.
Are You Ready? We Are.
Generous Base Wage plus Premium Pay
Comprehensive
Benefits Package
Officer Wellness
and Training
Work/Life Balance
as a Priority
Be the difference.
Be respected.
Be valued.
