CULTURE

Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary defines "culture" as: The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought typical of a population or community at a given time."

What defines a police department is the quality of the people working for that organization. The men and women of the Sacramento Police Department demand more from themselves to truly stand apart from the norm. At the Sacramento Police department, there exists an organizational culture that surpasses any typical law enforcement agency. People join the police department for many reasons, job stability, good salary and benefits, and serving their community, but what are the attributes necessary to be part of the Sacramento Police Department team?

Some of the important attributes possessed in the Sacramento Police Department's culture are found in our mission statement. " The Mission of the Sacramento Police Department is to work in partnership with the community, to protect life and property, solve neighborhood problems, and enhance the quality of life in our City."

To fulfill our mission statement, persons who wish to be a part of the Sacramento Police department must possess good communication skills, sound judgment, be self-motivated and courageous, have leadership skills, yet be able to be a team player, be able to show compassion and empathy, have a working knowledge of the ever-changing laws and judicial process, keep an open mind, and last, but certainly not the least, have a sense of humor.

Overview of Benefits
  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans
  • Deferred Compensation plans available
  • Uniform Allowance
  • City paid PERS retirement
  • 4-10 work schedule in patrol and detectives
  • Paid vacation, holiday and sick leave
  • Parental leave
  • City contribution towards retirement, health and welfare

Click here for more detailed benefit information.

Testimonials

The following are the opinions of some of the police department's employees and their personal reasons for why they are members of the SPD family:

"I began my law-enforcement career in 1984 and for the first 12 years, I worked for a Sheriffs Dept. in Portland, Oregon. I came to the Sacramento Police Department in 1996 and love it! Sacramento is a very busy city. The opportunities here are endless. At SPD, I have worked as a Patrol Officer, Problem Oriented Police (POP) Officer, and I am currently a Detective in the South Sector Robbery Division. I have had many interesting experiences here at Sac. P.D. including the time I went to the Bahamas for two weeks on an exchange program with the Royal Bahamas Police Force. This department is very progressive in its approach to police work and it embraced the community policing approach early on. The men and women who work with Sac P.D. are among the best I have known in my 18+ years in this profession. Sacramento's diversity and multi-ethnic culture make it a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I am very glad I made the move to Sac P.D."

Detective Will Tall
Robbery Division/South Sector
___

"I originally gravitated towards this profession 13 yrs ago because of the good salary, great benefits and flexible work schedule. As I became comfortable with my new job my reasons changed. I love the excitement, camaraderie and to belonging to an elite group, since not many people can do my job.

I love the fact that when I leave work, what's done is done; I don't have an in box with extra stuff waiting for me when I come back to work the following day. I love the fact I have a portable skill, I can go anywhere in the nation and get a job at any law enforcement agencies, because 911 dispatchers are in demand! As you can see, the money and benefit aspect quickly becomes secondary for most of us, because the job itself is very satisfying."

Dispatcher Shelly Butler
Police Dispatcher III/Communications Center
___

I was not a person who grew up wanting to become a police officer. Through my earlier experiences in the military, I was placed into the law enforcement field to meet the needs of the Air Force. When my enlistment ended, I learned firsthand that law enforcement is like a virus, once it's in your system, you can't get it out of you! I think it is important for people to understand that law enforcement is not what is seen on television. My experiences with helping the public can be just as satisfying as catching a criminal. The department places an importance with having a partnership with the community, and it is a partnership that works on reducing crime. I have been fortunate to work a variety of assignments: patrol, POP (Problem Oriented Policing), Recruiting, and now I am assigned to the Police Academy staff. There are numerous opportunities for those who seek a variety in their career. It is an exciting, rewarding career for those who are up to the challenge. I am proud to be a part of the Sacramento Police Department!


Corporal Pete Diaz
Sacramento Police Academy





5770 Freeport Boulevard, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95822
Local Job Line: (916) 808-5627
Toll-Free Job Line: 1-877-773-5627
Return to Sacpd.org