Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante will retire at the end of October after 30 years with the Police Department.

Escalante grew up in Santa Cruz and attended Santa Cruz High School. He joined the Police Department in 1996 and rose through the ranks from community service officer to detective, lieutenant, and tactical team leader, according to a spokesperson for the Police Department and his bio on the Police Department’s website.

Escalante was appointed deputy chief in 2020 and became acting chief in 2021, before being appointed to the permanent role in 2022.

“Serving my hometown and having the opportunity to lead the men and women of the Santa Cruz Police Department has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Escalante said in a statement.

“Public safety is challenging work, and our department has persevered through significant challenges and periods of difficult staffing while continuing to provide an exceptional level of service to this community. I’m especially proud of the work we’ve done to support the health and wellness of our employees, because taking care of the people who serve our community ultimately allows us to better care for the people who live here. I’m incredibly grateful to the SCPD team for their dedication and resilience, and to the Santa Cruz community for the trust and support they have shown me and our department throughout my career.”

A legacy of public safety and community building

Escalante earned his bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University and has a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from University of San Diego.

He emphasized building community relationships, policing downtown areas, and improving responses to mental health crises during his time as chief, according to the Police Department’s statement.

A transition plan was being created by the chief along with City Manager Matt Huffaker, who praised Escalante’s service in a statement.

“Chief Escalante’s career is an incredible example of what it means to dedicate yourself to public service and to the community you call home,” Huffaker said. “For over 30 years, Bernie has served Santa Cruz with integrity, compassion and a deep commitment to the people of this community. His leadership has made a lasting impact on the Police Department and our entire organization, and we are incredibly grateful for his decades of service.”