UPDATES:
Interested in a Career with Salinas PD? Visit our Recruitment Website HERE to find out more! Don't know where to start? Visit our How-Do-I dropdown menu below for frequently requested information.

Police Service of Salinas

Emergency Call: 911 | Non Emergency Call 831.758.7321 | Anonymous Tip Line: 831.775.4222

Message from Interim Chief John Murray


Interim Chief John Murray

I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to continue to serve the Salinas Police Department (SPD), the City of Salinas, and our community in my new role as your Interim Chief of Police.

It is an honor and privilege to work alongside a group of professionals who love our diverse community as much as I do. We are all proud to be working at one of the most respected and revered police agencies in the state of California.

First and foremost, we recognize that we do not achieve the status of being an elite police department in isolation; it requires a true partnership between law enforcement and the community we serve. We strive to always uphold the values our community expects of us – values such as trust, transparency, and accountability.

As we move forward with optimism and enthusiasm, I would like to remind our residents and visitors of some of our priorities:

Community Engagement: We believe that collaboration is key to successful policing. Our officers actively engaged with community members through neighborhood meetings, outreach programs, and community events. By listening to your concerns and working together, we are able to address issues that matter most to you.

Transparency and Accountability: We understand the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement. In 2022, we continued to implement reforms, such as body-worn cameras, to ensure greater transparency in our interactions with the public. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Community Policing: Our commitment to community policing remains strong. Over the past several years, SPD has undertaken a number of transformative changes with a community-centered approach to provide valuable training, police accountability, and principles focused on 21st Century Policing. We launched several successful initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of crime, working collaboratively with community organizations and providing resources to those in need.

Prevention and Intervention: We invested time and resources to secure a grant which has enabled us to lay the groundwork to establish a Youth Diversion Program and community outreach team called S.P.O.T. (Salinas Police Outreach Team), which will be launched in the Spring of 2024.

Recruitment and Retention: One of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement is recruitment and retention within police departments. Throughout 2023, we explored and implemented numerous ways in which to increase retention and recruit qualified candidates to join our mission. With the City’s support, we are once again highly competitive through generous hiring incentives ($20,000 – $40,000), launched a new recruitment website at www.joinsalinaspd.org, and have a dedicated team of Officers who are participating in job fairs and responding to inquiries daily.

All of these priorities play a pivotal role in SPD’s overall mission: to reduce violence, deter crime, and make our city a safe place to work, visit, and call home.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve this community and for your continued support. We will strive for excellence each and every day because you and your families deserve our absolute best!

Sincerely,

Interim Chief John Murray

Salinas Community


Sgt Kendall GraySergeant Kendall Gray

Salinas is a place where things grow: enough produce to feed the nation, enough wildflowers to blanket the nearby mountains, and all the dreams you might expect in one of the youngest cities in America. It's a community of 150,000 where the median age is 28 years.

We’re located near where the Salinas River ends its journey through its great valley to the Monterey Bay. Thanks to the soil, the climate — and hard-working, talented people — it’s one of the most fertile regions on earth.

This has been the home of Esselen and Ohlone Indians, Spanish missionaries and ranchers, American frontier people, and immigrants from Latin America, Japan, the Philippines, Switzerland — the world over. It was the birthplace of John Steinbeck, who set his novels East of Eden and Of Mice and Men in the Salinas Valley.

Read More
Mae Eisemann was the first police woman in the City of Salinas and the first woman on foot patrol in the City! On May 1, 1942, she began her career with Salinas Police Department as the first female matron, but was determined to do more for her community as a police officer. She applied to be promoted, and was hired as a police officer by Chief Lapierre (Eisemann, 2006). Let's celebrate Mae's contributions to Salinas, inspiring other women and paving the way for the women of the Salinas Police Department. #WomensHistoryMonthEisemann, L. (2006). The First Police Woman: A History of the Salinas Police Department. Trafford Publishing. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Did you really think while pulling a trailer you would get away from VSTF?!?!? Well, think again! Yesterday, Guillermo Martinez (38), thought he was going to give it a try. Once he realized he wasn’t going to out run VSTF in his vehicle (pulling a trailer), he tried on foot. Once on foot, he really lost as VSTF has some track stars who quickly apprehended him. Once he was caught he was safely arrested for his felony warrants and the pursuit. VSTF never gives up easily and later searched his residence locating over 4 ounces of meth. Martinez was then slowly and safely driven to Monterey County Jail on all the fresh charges. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
SPD’s 2023 AB 481 Annual Report has been published. You can view the report on our website or following the link below. publuu.com/flip-book/101396/969149We will hold a Community Meeting on Monday, April 15th from 6:00-6:30pm at the City Council Rotunda to go over the report. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Community engagement is a huge part of the Salinas Police Department. Sgt Magana gives presentations and participates in a Spanish radio show every other week. Sgt Magana updates the Spanish speaking community on recent crime trends and what is happening in the city from the PD perspective. You can catch his segments on @labuena_salinas, every other Wednesday from 1130-1200. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Yesterday, a juvenile was walking with a group of friends near Nantucket and New Haven when a black Acura drove up. For an unknown reason, the driver pulled over, and along with his two passengers exited the vehicle. The suspects from the vehicle began to chase the juvenile. The driver, described as a HMA, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, held onto his waistband as if he was hiding a handgun. Suspect 2, described as an HMJ, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, caught up to the juvenile and stabbed him in the upper right side of his back. The third suspect was described as an HMJ, tall and skinny, wearing a white polo shirt. All three suspects wore blue bandanas over the lower portion of their faces.The juvenile ran away and tried to flag down someone for help but was unsuccessful. He eventually found help at Everett Alvarez High School. The high school was locked down temporarily while we sorted out the details.The juvenile was transported to NMC for treatment of his non-life-threatening injury. The high school at the time of the stabbing was having a track meet where a starter pistol was being utilized. Due to the lockdown and increased police presence, and the starter pistol going off we received numerous calls from students and parents reporting a possible Active Shooter, a man with a gun, and shots fired. This is where the mis-information began to circulate. SPD found no evidence of a man with a gun on campus or the possibility of an active shooter. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the non-emergency number 831-758-7321. If you wish to remain anonymous you may also call the Salinas Police Department anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Yesterday afternoon this vehicle pulled behind the victim at Chase Bank on South Main St. A black male passenger exited, shoved a gun into the victim’s abdomen and stole her purse, wallet and jewelry before fleeing.If you have any information or know of an unreported similar incident please reach out. Non emergency 831-758-7321 or anonymous tip line 831-775-4222 ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
The Salinas Police Department would like to congratulate our 5 newest officers. Officer Fernandez, Officer Jimenez, Officer Lopez, Officer Ramirez, and Officer Pacheco graduated the Santa Clara County Justice Training Center Acadmey with Class 32 honors today. They will all now enter the field training program where they will learn to be solo beat officers. This is a great moment for them, their families, and the community of Salinas. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Misinformation Regarding Alvarez High Lockdown - Alvarez High School was placed on lockdown today, March 14th, as a precautionary measure. Salinas Police responded to an incident on Nantucket, near Alvarez High. The incident did not occur on campus. Rumors that there was an active shooter on campus or in the area are false. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
VSTF continues its push to rid the streets of drugs and guns in the hands of gang members. VSTF served a search warrant in the 200 block of Dororo Dr. Daniel Soriano (23), was detained in the front yard and at first didn’t think anything of it. His nerves started kicking in when VSTF Officers let him know they had a search warrant for the property. During a search officers located an AK-47 assault rifle, Glock 19 9mm handgun, Sig P226 9mm handgun, 13.4 grams of cocaine, 12.3 grams of meth, and indicia for sales of the drugs. Soriano was swiftly taken to Monterey County Jail where he faces many fresh felony charges! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Are you ready to make a difference????? Yes, SPD gets to help save lives and take bad guys to jail, but we also get the opportunity to work in an amazing city!!! Making a difference to us, includes being apart of the community. Which most of the time results in great conversations, oh yeah, doughnuts and coffee too 😉! We had an amazing time at a car show and the farmers market . What do you say, click the link, fill out an application, and make a difference. JOIN SPD! 💪💪💪www.joinsalinaspd.org/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

News and Announcements


Default Picture: News Logo

AB 481 – Community Meeting/Reunion de la Comunidad

Posted On: March 14th, 2024

SAVE THE DATE  

AB 481 – 2023 Annual Report  
Community Meeting

Monday, April 15, 2024


RESERVA LA FECHA 

AB 481 – Informe Annual del 2024 
Reunion de la Comunidad 

Read More
Default Picture: News Logo

Arrest Made in Garner Ave. Homicide

Posted On: June 30th, 2023

On Thursday, June 15th at approximately 1:20 am, Salinas Police Officers responded to the 700 block of Garner Ave. on a ShotSpotter alert of gunshots in the area. While responding to the ShotSpotter, they were advised of a victim of a shooting in the area. On arrival, they located Luis Florez Gonzalez (36) suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers attempted life saving measures. However, the victim died due to his injuries.

Read More
Default Picture: News Logo

Homicide Investigation

Posted On: June 15th, 2023

On Thursday, June 15th at approximately 1:20 am, Salinas Police Officers responded to the 700 block of Garner Ave. on a ShotSpotter alert of gunshots in the area. While responding to the ShotSpotter, they were advised of a victim of a shooting in the area. On arrival they located an adult male 36 years of age suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers attempted life saving measures. However, the victim died due to his injuries. The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time pending notification of family members.

Read More
Default Picture: News Logo

Fatal DUI Crash

Posted On: May 28th, 2023

A DUI crash on Saturday night left a 33-year-old woman dead and three others with life-threatening injuries.

The collision happened at 9:44 p.m., on N. Davis Road in front of Hacienda Restaurant. A drunk 16-year-old was driving a silver BMW and collided head on with a white Dodge Journey with two aboard. The 16-year-old had a 31-year-old adult passenger in the car with him. He lost control of the car, crossed the center median into oncoming traffic, and crashed head-on into a white Dodge Journey killing a 33-year-old woman and critically injuring the 44-year-old driver.

Read More

View All News & Announcements

Stay Connected