Retirement Party: Say Goodbye To 30-Year-Veteran of Santa Cruz PD

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Rick Martinez will retire in two weeks, after 30 years of service to the department. The public is invited to join elected officials and community leaders in saying goodbye at his retirement reception at Dec. 18, 4 p.m., in the department's community room.

Martinez was hired as a beach and park ranger with the city's Parks and Recreation Department in 1989, according to a Santa Cruz Police Department press release. He served as a first responder during the Loma Prieta Earthquake and started his police career in 1990.

He was assigned to serve as a detective in 1995, and promoted to Sergeant in 2000, Lieutenant in 2004 and Deputy Chief in 2010, according to the press release. Martinez has worked in patrol, investigations, neighborhood services and more. He was a key player in creating the department's app and crafting policies related to mental health outreach, and was recognized as a Law Enforcement Community Hero in 2010.

He has served as a board and member of numerous community organizations, including the Board of Directors of the Central Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Smart Solutions to Homelessness Leadership Council and Women's Crisis Support of Santa Cruz County.

"I am both honored and appreciative of the opportunity to have worked with our
community and the men and women of the Santa Cruz Police Department," Martinez
said in the press release. "I retire knowing the department is poised not just to keep Santa Cruz safe, but continue to grow and serve with professionalism."

Martinez retires Dec. 19.