Santa Monica Police Department

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The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) serves the city of Santa Monica, California. Formed in 1897, it currently has about 233 sworn officers and an annual budget around $123 million. The department operates within the city, with its headquarters at 333 Olympic Drive and four beats. More information is available at santamonicapd.org.

In its early years, the focus was on public drunkenness. As Santa Monica grew, the department added a detective bureau and a call box system to speed up alerts. During the Great Depression, SMPD tackled illegal gambling. The department runs a jail with a maximum capacity of 112 inmates and a limit of 48 hours per person.

The Serial Inebriate Outreach Program tries to persuade people jailed for drunkenness to seek treatment for alcoholism; a 2006 report noted a 25% success rate.

Jacqueline Seabrooks became Santa Monica’s first female police chief in 2012, succeeding Timothy J. Jackman. In 2013 the department was criticized for paying several staff more than $200,000 per year, while the total budget that year was about $77 million.

SMPD works on homelessness reduction through its Homeless Liaison Program, coordinating with other agencies to help provide housing instead of arresting people. From 2007 to 2009, homelessness levels reportedly fell by about 8%. Fines for homelessness have been less effective, since many arrestees cannot pay and landlords may be reluctant to rent to people with arrest warrants. The department also calls paramedics for medical needs, and some homeless residents have complained about how confiscated possessions are handled and returned.

The Harbor Unit conducts ocean rescues at the Santa Monica Pier.