The Santa Maria Police Department has nearly 130 sworn officers, 51 professional staff, and 8 volunteers.( Photography by Reflections Photography, 2015)
At the time the Santa Maria Police moved into their original facility in 1953, the city’ s population was about 15,000 people and the department consisted of 25 sworn and professional staff employees. Little did city and police officials know that once the new 12,000 square foot, state of the art facility would remain the home of the Santa Maria Police Department for over half a century.
Over a span of nearly 60 years, the city grew to over 23 square miles, with a population over 104,000 residents. The original 25-person department has now grown to approximately 180 personnel. In an attempt to keep up with the department’ s growth throughout the years, several make-do building modifications and additions were built. In 2008 the decision was made to locate a new facility, and so the City of Santa Maria purchased a previously occupied building for $ 13.1 million.
In 2012, Chief Ralph Martin was hired and immediately saw the need of both organizational and philosophical change. Chief Martin garnered support from the community, city council, city administration, and within the agency to make those changes. The most significant changes included a renewed investment in the new police facility, a return to community based policing, and major policy updates.
Some of the notable changes included: increasing the line-level sworn staff from just over 100 to 128, with a goal of 135 in the next two years. Increasing supervision from 11 sergeants to 18 and from 4 lieutenants to 6. The department’ s entire fleet consisted of aged vehicles and a logo that represented the past. With direct input from the police department staff, a new fleet was selected along with a new department logo.
Santa Maria’ s new facility features: secured holding facilities, a spacious evidence room to meet the department ' s needs for years to come, and a modern crime lab.“ This new facility is a physical representation of our modern and professional Police Department,” said Chief Martin.“ We have a great mix of experienced officers and support staff, and dynamic new officers and support staff, who are forward-thinking and who are proud to serve.”
Assisting Chief Martin with this new direction was the overwhelming support for the police department from its community, media, city council, and one person in particular; City Manager Rick Haydon. From the onset, Mr. Haydon stated that his goal all along was to provide the officers with the tools they need to succeed.
Teamwork, community support and dedication to public service has landed Santa Maria PD right in the HEART
of their ever-supportive city. ■
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