Life inside SMPD

Culture, Purpose, People 

From team culture to career purpose, discover what it is like to be part of a department where every role feels more like a mission than a job.

A Team You Can Count On

Built on camaraderie, trust, and shared purpose

SMPD is a family. We work together, train together, and grow together. We show up for each other and our community every day. Our culture is grounded in purpose and guided by mutual respect. Every shift means something more.

Two uniformed officers with gear walk near a fenced area with a cart and ATM in the background.
Group of cyclists in uniform posing with bikes under palm trees on a sunny day in an urban area.
Police officer congratulating a fellow officer seated in a room with several other people during a formal event.
Police officers standing near patrol cars with flashing lights during a nighttime operation.

What Sets SMPD Apart

Serve with purpose. Grow through opportunity.
From meaningful work and specialized assignments to the balance you need outside the job; that’s what makes a career at SMPD different.

Police officer driving a vehicle along a sunny beachfront road with palm trees and buildings in the background.

Pay That Reflects Your Worth

SMPD is among the highest-paying departments in California. Officers benefit from competitive incentives and a comprehensive package designed to support long-term career growth and security.

Police officer operating a drone on a grassy field with trees in the background.

Innovation + Tradition

At SMPD, we respect the foundation of the job while embracing technology, modern training, and progressive strategies to stay ahead.

Police officers talking at an outdoor event while one holds a toddler in a cowboy hat and boots.

A Culture That Supports You

From mentorship to peer support, SMPD fosters a team-first atmosphere that values wellness, balance, and support at every career stage.

Two police officers in uniform, one smiles as another adjusts her badge, standing near an American flag indoors.

Growth Without Limits

With dozens of assignments and advancement opportunities, your career won’t just grow—it will evolve. From day one, SMPD invests in your development, advancement, and leadership potential.

A police officer and canine by a neon Pacific Park sign

A City Like No Other

Policing Santa Monica means protecting one of the most iconic coastal cities in the world. Our community is vibrant, diverse, and full of energy.

Police officer and firefighter in masks at an emergency scene, with the officer pointing and firefighter checking a device.

Purpose in Every Shift

The work we do matters. Whether on patrol or in specialized units, every assignment serves the greater goal of keeping Santa Monica safe.

A Culture of Respect Starts at the Top

At SMPD, respect is beyond just a value, it is the standard. From leadership to line-level officers, we treat each other with professionalism and dignity. That is how trust is built and careers thrive.

Three police officers in uniform smiling and holding drinks at an outdoor event with greenery and buildings in the background.

The seal of Santa Monica Police Department
The seal of Santa Monica Police Department

Living and Working in a World-Class City

Where your workday ends at the water’s edge.

With the beach at your doorstep and sunsets that stop traffic, Santa Monica offers a lifestyle that blends natural beauty with urban energy.

Aerial view of a busy beach with people sunbathing and playing near ocean waves, lifeguard tower and umbrella visible.
Santa Monica skyline against the sunset
Lifeguard tower on an empty beach at sunset with a vivid sky in the background.

Work hard, live fully. Santa Monica keeps life interesting.

Whether you are into food, festivals, music, art, or fitness, the city’s vibrant culture keeps you connected and engaged on and off duty.

A crowded beach with people
People shopping and walking on a busy outdoor pedestrian street lined with trees and shops.
People doing yoga on a grassy area near palm trees with swings and a ferris wheel in the background at sunset.

A city that supports your future—on duty and at home

Great schools, safe neighborhoods, and abundant parks make Santa Monica the perfect place to raise a family, build roots, and shape a future both on and off the job.

Police officers in sunglasses smiling with three dogs, two motorcycles parked behind them outdoors in daylight.
Two uniformed police officers smiling in front of Santa Monica Police banners and a California flag.
Elderly woman seated, talking to two smiling uniformed police officers indoors.
Police officer smiles with a young girl at a community event under a tent with JOIN SMPD banner, colorful toys on table.
Police officer receives pin from fellow officer during ceremony at Santa Monica Police Department.

Big city energy, small city convenience

From downtown LA and Hollywood to the mountains, desert, and coast, Santa Monica puts all of Southern California within reach. Adventure, culture, and convenience are part of daily life.

Night view of a coastal city with light trails from traffic, illuminated buildings, and palm trees under a dark sky.
Highway signs indicating directions to Ocean Ave, Downtown Santa Monica, and Pier/Beach Parking amidst palm trees.
Police officer on a beach holding a radio, with a patrol vehicle and people in the background near the ocean.
Tactical soldier aiming rifle with red and blue lights in the background at night.
Police officer in uniform with a K9 dog on a sandy beach at sunset, pier and Ferris wheel in the background.
Police officer talking to group of children beside patrol car in parking garage with blue and red lights.
Police officer in uniform standing in front of a large government building with columns.
Two adults in uniforms pose outside; next to them, a vintage photo of two children sitting together indoors.

“Santa Monica PD has been the perfect place to advance my career from civilian Records Technician to sworn Police Officer. There are countless opportunities to grow and develop.”

Police officer on a beach holding a radio, with a patrol vehicle and people in the background near the ocean.

Jacqueline Frausto

Police Officer

“In this job, no two days are the same. Working in a fluid environment demands trust, teamwork and the readiness to adapt at a moments notice.”

Tactical soldier aiming rifle with red and blue lights in the background at night.

David Hodgson

Patrol Sergeant

“Everyday, Norton reminds me why I love this job – loyalty, courage, and the bond of a best friend.”

Police officer in uniform with a K9 dog on a sandy beach at sunset, pier and Ferris wheel in the background.

Jonathan Garcia & Norton

K9 Officer

“Lateralling to Santa Monica PD has allowed me to grow professionally, which has opened many doors to opportunities and experiences. I saw Santa Monica PD as the place where I could find the growth and advancement I was looking for.”

Police officer showing a police car to a group of children in a parking garage, with bright lights illuminating the scene.

Neighborhood Resource Officer

David Wang

“Being an athlete wasn’t just about competition — it was about grit, discipline, and showing up for something bigger than yourself. That’s exactly what being a police officer is about, too.”

Police officer in uniform stands confidently in front of a large government building with columns.

Myamie Thompson

Softball Player

“We were teammates before we were cops — brothers by blood, united by purpose.”  

Two adults in uniforms pose outside; next to them, a vintage photo of two children sitting together indoors.

Officers Joseph & Jacob Duncan

Brothers

Still Wondering What It Is Like Here?

We’re happy to share more about the culture, career paths, and life at SMPD. Reach out anytime.

The seal of Santa Monica California
The seal of Santa Monica California