SPD

DEPARTMENT POLICIES

On this page, view the Department’s policies and contact us if you have any questions.

Department Policies Shape Who We Are

Our policies define what we expect from our officers and shape our training programs. We update our policies to follow national best practices and include community feedback.

On this page, you can look through policies of the Salinas Police Department.

Please note that pdf versions of policies are currently archived while we revise documents for easier review. 

Police Service of Salinas Policies

Department Policy Manual

Use of Force

Please click below to view the Salinas Police Department’s Use of Force policy.

Automated License Plate Reader

The Salinas Police Department deploys eight vehicle-mounted Automated License Plate Readers. The license plate, registration history, and geographical location information are downloaded to a server housed and maintained by the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC). In compliance with SB 34 the following link will take you to the policy of the NCRIC. 

Active Shooter Information

For the information on active shooter preparedness and training resources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), here are key sources you can refer to:

  1. DHS Active Shooter Preparedness:  This website at the Department of Human Services provides guidance, training, and resources for schools and communities to prepare for and respond to active shooter incidents.

  2. CISA’s K-12 Active Shooter Drills and Programs Landscape Assessment: Available under DHS and CISA publications here—this document outlines the landscape of active shooter drills and training in K-12 schools.

  3. Active Shooter:  This government website at Ready.gov contains tips and protocols for responding to active shooter situations.

  4. Brochures Titled, “Active Shooter Event”: These brochures are from the FBI in English and Spanish and can be downloaded by going to their website here for all Active Shooter Safety Resources.

Informacion sobre atentado de Tirador Activo

Frequently Asked Questions

We have indexed some of our most common questions below, from reporting an abandoned vehicle to how to pay for a traffic citation to loud party complaints and more. 

What can I do if I see a car parked in my neighborhood which I think may be abandoned?

The City of Salinas has people specifically designated to handle abandoned vehicles and long-term parking problems. Complaints are normally handles in a timelier manner if you elect to use the Salinas Connect App to report the vehicle. Utilization of the Salinas Connect App automatically documents the complaint allowing our Abandoned Vehicle Abatement team to respond directly to the location. If you still wish to leave a voicemail regarding the abandoned vehicle, you may do so by calling (831) 758-7316.  Abandoned vehicles may also be reported via the City of Salinas Connect link. Select the Request for Service option and complete the form.  Photos may also be included in your request.

The following information will help you determine whether or not a vehicle has been abandoned or is a long-term parking problem:

  • Salinas Municipal Code – Section 20-49(a) and (b)  prohibits any vehicle from being parked upon any street or alley for more than 72 hours (3 days). In the event a vehicle is parked in excess of this time period, the police department is authorized to issue a citation and/or remove such vehicle from the street.
  • When you report an abandoned vehicle to the Salinas Police Department, our personnel will respond and mark the vehicle as soon as possible. After 72 consecutive hours, the vehicle will be checked again. If the vehicle has not been moved, it will be removed as soon as possible.
  • Any vehicle parked on a City street or on public property must be currently registered and in working condition.
  • California Vehicle Code section 22669(d)  prohibits an vehicle from being parked on the street or other public property with a major component missing. Major components include the engine, radiator, wheel(s), tire(s), window(s), door(s), etc. These vehicles will be towed as soon as possible.

We suggest residents park their personal vehicles in their garage or driveway if possible. If not, we encourage people to park in front of their own residence in an effort to be good neighbors.

My car is broken down. Can I park it on my property for a few weeks until I get it fixed?

Salinas Municipal Code – Section 37-50.190(b)(2)(c)  prohibits inoperable vehicles from being parked or stored on private property. A vehicle is considered inoperable if it is missing any major component, partially dismantled, or not registered through DMV for running conditions on public street. Inoperable vehicles may be stored inside a garage on a temporary basis. The City of Salinas Code Enforcement Section, (831) 758-7157, regulates these types of vehicles on private property.

Hitchcock Road Animal Services for Monterey County and Salinas

Please note that Animal Services is handled by Hitchcock Road, not police, except in public safety emergencies.

The City of Salinas and Monterey County Animal Services are working together under one shelter on Hitchcock Road. Please visit Hitchcock Road Animal Services for service and program updates, photos of animals in the shelter, and any other information you may need.

Hitchcock Road Animal Services
Street Address:
160 Hitchcock Rd Salinas

Open Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1:00pm-5:00pm

Specified Hours: 1:00pm-5pm for licensing, owner redemption and other shelter business. Adoption hours are specifically between 1-4pm.

Contact Phone Number:
Animal Services:
(831)755-5222 (Leave a message)

For afterhours emergencies involving public safety, please call 9-1-1.

Emergencies involving immediate animal safety: (831)769-8856.

Property & Evidence FAQ’s

Contact Information

Salinas Police Department Property & Evidence

310 JD Alvarado Circle

Salinas, CA. 93901

(831)-758-7394

Google Map Location

https://www.propertyroom.com

What is the Property & Evidence hours of operation?

Monday through Friday from 09:00 a.m. to 02:30 p.m.

Closed for City of Salinas recognized Holidays.

How do I retrieve my property from the Salinas Police Department?

You may call us at (831)758-7394 during normal business hours, if after hours please leave a message. Please provide us with your full name, date of birth, Salinas Police Department case number (if known), and a description of the item or items you are trying to retrieve.

Do I need an appointment before I can claim my property?

Yes, property returns are by appointment only. Appointments are available Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 09:00 a.m. to 02:30 p.m.

I turned in found property, when can I claim it?

Any item turned in to the Salinas police Department as found property must be held for 90 Days while attempts are made to locate the owner. If the item has not been claimed after 90 days, it can be released to the finder under certain circumstances. (Firearms or weapons CANNOT be released to the finder.)

How can I get my property that was taken for safekeeping?

Safekeeping property (not Firearms or ammunition) cannot be released without first making an appointment with the Property & Evidence Unit. You must call (831) 758-7394. Safekeeping property will be held for 90 days. After 90 days the property will be disposed of.

How do I get property that was evidence from a court case?

Felony Arrest Cases: Evidence cannot be released until 60 days after the date of sentencing. Misdemeanor Arrest Cases: Evidence cannot be released until 30 days after the date of sentencing. ** All individuals who faced charges in a criminal case must be sentenced before Evidence items can be released.

If I’m unable to pick up my property, can I send someone to pick it up?

You will need a notarized letter of authorization before someone else can pick up your property. The authorized letter must have the name of the person picking up the property. The person picking up your property must bring a valid government issued picture ID. The following form can be downloaded, printed, and used for this purpose: Notarized Property and Evidence Release Form.  This process does not apply to firearms. For further information regarding Firearm releases, please contact us at (831)758-7394.

What forms of identification are acceptable to pick up property?

Valid Identification must be presented for release of property, i.e. Valid Driver’s License from any state, Valid Identification card from any state, Valid Passport, Matricula Card or similar from any country, Valid United States Military Identification, etc…

Is the process for retrieving firearms different from other types of property?

If you are attempting to claim a firearm(s), ammunition, and/or ammunition feeding devices, you must first obtain a clearance letter from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) PC 33850.  Beginning December 1, 2021 applicants must electronically submit a Law Enforcement Release (LER) application via the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS).   The clearance letter, confirming that you can legally possess a firearm, is valid for 30 days.  You must make an appointment to retrieve your firearm before the letter expires.  You must also bring a firearm lock or locking case for transportation.  Ammo is not released at the same time as guns.  For more information please visit the DOJ website here.

How do I dispose of my firearm(s) and ammo?

We will accept firearms that anyone in the public wants to turn in. Firearms need to be brought to the PD in an unloaded condition in a locked container. Individuals wishing to turn in firearms must leave them in their vehicle for an officer to collect. Weapons are not to be brought into the lobby without a police officer present.

Ammunition can be turned in only by individuals who reside in the City of Salinas. We will not accept powder, primers, or other reloading components. Military munition such as mortar or artillery shells, grenades or any other type of explosives are not to be brought to the PD and will not be accepted under any circumstances.

The Department reserves the right to refuse.

Reports will only be released to person(s) of an incident or an authorized representative of the person(s).  If you are an attorney representing the party involved, the request must include a letter of authorization from the client.

When submitting your request, you will receive a confirmation email.  When the report is available, you will be directed to a link where you may retrieve and pay for your report.  You may submit your request for a report here.

Should you have further questions or have not received an email regarding your request, contact our Records Department at (831) 758-7090, option 2 for Police Services Group.

How do I contest a parking citation?

You may request an Administrative Review by downloading and completing the Parking Violation Dispute form here.

How much time do I have to contest a citation?

Payment or an administrative review is required within 21 days or further penalties will be assessed. If you fail to request a review or pay the citation as directed, vehicle registration will be withheld.

How do I obtain a copy of a citation?

You may obtain a copy by calling (831) 758-7349.  If no one is available to answer your call, please leave your name, phone number, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

What information is needed to obtain a copy of a citation?

• Name and Date of Birth

• Date of Violation

• Vehicle Plate or Vehicle Identification Number

• Citation number, located on your paperwork

Payment Options:

Pay online at CitationProcessingCenter.com

Pay by mail by sending the proper amount of penalty. Check and/or money order is accepted. Do not send cash. Enclose the notice of parking violation with your payment and/or proof of correction(s). Write your citation number on your payment.

Mail to:
City of Salinas
Citation Processing Center
P.O. Box 10479
Newport Beach, CA 92658-5016

City of Salinas Parking Citations | Instructions

Contest a Notice of Parking Violation (Citation)

Notices of Parking Violation are issued by the LAZ Parking. If you wish to contest a Notice of Parking Violation, you must follow the procedures outlined in this document. If you wish to pay your citation, you can do so by going on-line to Parking Management Bureau.

Please note: There are no provisions under law to conduct administrative reviews or administrative hearings if statutory time limits for filing are not met. If the time frames outlined below are not met, all parking penalties and late fees must be paid.

Step 1. Administrative Review Process

Within 21 days after issuance of a Notice of Parking Violation or within 14 days from the mailing of a Notice of Delinquent Parking Violation, you may appeal the Notice of Parking Violation on-line at Parking Management Bureau.

You will receive notification from the Parking Management Bureau whether your request for appeal is approved or denied. If your Request for Citation Review is denied, you may request an Administrative Hearing

Step 2. Administrative Hearing Process

An Administrative Hearing provides you the opportunity to contest a Notice of Parking Violation after an Administrative Review. (40200.7 CVC)

To obtain an Administrative Hearing you must request it within 21 days of the determination of the Administrative Review (first level). To request an Administrative Hearing, you must contact Parking Management Bureau at (800) 700-4417 or by returning the form included with the determination of the Administrative Review.

Step 3. Court Review

To request a court review you must, within 30 days of mailing of the Hearing Examiner’s decision, file a request for review with the Monterey County Municipal Court. (40230(b) CVC)

To request a Court appeal, you must contact the Parking Management Bureau at (800)700-4417. The Court requires a $25.00 filing fee to process an appeal.

The court receives and reviews the file of the Administrative Review and the Administrative Hearing. The reviewer renders a decision and notifies the appellant (you).

Should you need to request a copy of a report for U-Visas purposes, please follow the instructions below.

All documents must be submitted by mail only.  You must provide the following, the applicants picture ID, consent to release form, the report number, date of crime and type of crime.  Should you have further questions please contact the Records Coordinator, Bianca Navarro-Raya at (831) 758-7414 or via email.

Mail your request to:

Salinas Police Department
Attn: Bianca Navarro-Raya
312 E. Alisal St.
Salinas, CA 93901

Please review AB 481 Annual Reports for most current information found here.

What can I do if there is a loud party in my neighborhood?

If someone is having a loud party in your neighborhood you may call the Police Department for assistance. When deciding whether to call the police you must also decide whether the noise is at a level that your peace is being disturbed. If it is, you next need to decide whether you would be willing to press formal charges in order to get the noise to stop or be turned down to a tolerable level.

Most often, the mere fact that you are willing to press charges will help us to solve the problem so that no actual charges need be pressed. If you decide to call the police, use the non-emergency number, (831) 758-7321, and not 911. When you call the police you will be asked several things. In addition to getting your name, address and telephone number the person you talk to will also ask you if you are willing to press charges or if you are willing to speak with an officer directly.

We recommend that you provide the dispatcher with your name, address and telephone number even if you do not want to press charges or be contacted. This will help us if other calls are received about the same party.

Do not call the anonymous tip line or use the “contact us” page to make a complaint.  

What if I do not want to give my name and address?

If you do not want to give your name and address you may still call the police and report the noise. The officer who is assigned to the nearby area will be told that a person has called about the noise. Depending on other calls for service, the officer may make an attempt to drive by the party and, if necessary, warn the party giver that a complaint was received. It may be difficult for the officers to quiet the party since the officer has no way of ordering the party giver to turn down the music or face arrest or a citation. The officer may try to quiet the party by enforcing other laws at or near the party such as, drinking in public, curfew, etc. If the party continues, or you decide that you are willing to press charges in order to quiet the party, you may call back and tell the dispatcher that you are willing to do so.

What laws are being broken if I give a loud party and refuse to lower or stop the noise?

There are several laws that may be broken if you are responsible for giving a party that is too loud. The California Penal Code (415.2)  states that it is illegal to maliciously and willfully disturb another person by loud and unreasonable noise.

The Salinas Municipal Code states that it is illegal to use any sound equipment between the hours of 10:00 p.m.. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time when it is unreasonably loud. It is also a violation of the Salinas City Code (5-11.03) to willfully make any loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood. You could be issued a citation or be subject to arrest for a violation of either of these codes.

Can I drink alcohol while walking down a City street in Salinas?

No, it is illegal to drink any beverage that contains alcohol while on public property. The Salinas Municipal Code Section (21-2)  states that, “No person shall drink any beer, wine or other intoxicating beverage on any public street, sidewalk, alley, highway, plaza parkway, parking lot, airport terminal, or bus or train depot in the City.” If you are found by an officer in violation of this ordinance you are subject to a citation and a fine.

I am planning a picnic at a City park. Is it legal to have alcoholic beverages present?

  • It depends on the location. The Salinas Municipal Code Section (21-2)  makes it illegal to possess alcohol in any city park except the following:
  • If a permit is obtained through the Recreation-Park Department  alcohol may be consumed at the Salinas Rodeo Grounds, Salinas Municipal Stadium, Sherwood Hall and Park.
    Alcohol may also be consumed at other city recreational buildings or facilities if allowed by the operating permit or policies for the use of the building or facility.
  • If you decide to obtain a permit from the Recreation-Park Department  then you may also be required to obtain a permit from the California Alcohol and Beverage Control Department  and the California State Franchise Board  depending on the circumstances.
  • If you are contacted by an officer in a city park and you are found to be in violation of the ordinance you are subject to a citation and fine.

I would like to have a party at my house and serve alcohol. Is this legal?

Again, the answer to this question is that it depends on the circumstances. If you are over 21 years old, have a party that does not require an admission fee, and minors under the age of 21 years old are not allowed to drink alcohol, then it is legal. However, if you charge a fee for the alcohol or an entrance fee you are required to obtain permits issued by the City of Salinas and the State of California. If you allow minors, under the age of 21, to consume any alcohol at a party, or other social gathering, you are subject to an arrest or citation for a variety of charges including; contributing to the delinquency of minors, furnishing alcohol to minors and hosting a social gathering where alcohol is possessed by minors.

Is it legal for a minor to drink a beer inside a friend’s house?

No. The Salinas Municipal Code Section (21-1)  states that, “No person under the age of 21 years shall have in his or her possession, or consume, any alcoholic beverage at an place not open to the public.” Also, it is a violation the California Business and Professions Code, 25662(a)  for a minor, under the age of 21, to possess any alcoholic beverage in any place open to the public. There are also specific violations of the California Vehicle Code  for possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

What should I do if I see a strange person or car loitering in my neighborhood?

Having residents report strange, suspicious or out of place activity in their neighborhoods is essential to locating identifying and stopping criminal activity. There may be a reasonable and legal explanation for the person’s presence and actions. However, if the person’s actions are enough to raise your suspicion there is probably a good reason to take further action.

There are several things that you can do to help us in these cases. The most important thing to remember is to not put yourself at danger by taking action yourself. The best thing you can do is watch the person, car and activity and note a full description of all three.

When you call the police you may use either the Emergency, 911, line or the non-emergency number, (831) 758-7321 depending on the circumstances. If the person or activity appears to you to be an immediate threat to someone or something you can call 911. If the person, car or activity just appears suspicious or out of place use the non emergency, direct line, (831) 758-7321, option 2.

When you call be prepared to give the dispatcher your name, address, phone number and a description of the people and cars involved. The dispatcher may want to keep you on the telephone while an officer or officers are dispatched. This will enable the dispatcher to update the officers who are responding.

If the dispatcher does not stay on the telephone be sure to call back and update the dispatcher if the person or car leaves or something happens that indicates what exactly is occurring. If the person does leave make sure you are able to provide the dispatcher a direction of travel.

Remember, the suspicious activity that you witness may be totally innocent and explainable, however without taking the time to call and report the activity there may be no way of telling if it is, or if it is criminal activity that warrants police action.

Should I call the police to report a door to door salesperson?

Door to door solicitors fall into two categories. The first are those with nonprofit groups, such as youth groups or churches. These individuals carry identification and some documentation showing what group they are with. Door to door sales people should have a City business license and identification.The Salinas Municipal Code  regulates solicitors by prohibiting them from littering, knocking on doors after 9:00 p.m. and other things.

If someone comes to your door you may want to request identification and other documents If they are unable or unwilling to provide any documents you should immediately be wary of them.

If you feel that their actions are suspicious, or disturbing your peace, you may call the police in the same manner as listed above. Make sure that you note the direction the individual is walking and provide it to the dispatcher.

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act

Salinas PD LEOSA Qualification Information

A yearly LEOSA qualification for honorably Retired Salinas Police Officers can be scheduled by emailing the Administrative Secretaries, Stephanie Morales-Bravo or Martha Guizar

Retiree qualifications can be conducted on any open range day after being coordinated with eitheStephanie or Martha. Open range days are generally held on the first and third Monday of each month. Please do not just show up to the range without scheduling.

A yearly Retiree BBQ is held at the Salinas Police Department located at 312 E. Alisal Street usually during July or August. We invite all retired Salinas Police Officers to attend this event. As part of this event, there will be Range Masters on hand to qualify retired Officers and to process their LEOSA cards. Please contact Sergeant Godwin or Sergeant Murphy for information regarding this event.

Those retirees who are unable to attend either the Retiree BBQ and Qualification or an Open Range Day due to living out of county may download the Salinas PD LEOSA Qualification Course and the Salinas PD Retiree Qualification forms

Take these forms to any Local, State, or Federal Law Enforcement Agency who is willing to qualify you using our standards. We do not recognize private firearms instructors, military or security contractors, only Local, State, or Federal Law Enforcement Agencies can qualify retirees. Once you are qualified have the Range Master who qualified you sign the SPD Retiree Qualification Form and indicate the Agency which conducted the qualification. The form must include a valid mailing address and telephone contact number for the retiree requesting the LEOSA card. We cannot validate your qualification and issue you a LEOSA card without this information. Once the form is completed the certifying agency or the retiree must scan the signed copy of the SPD Retiree Qualification Form and email it to Stephanie and Martha. 

Upon receiving the scanned form Salinas Range Staff will verify the information is accurate this process may include contacting the qualifying agency for verification. 

The retiree will receive his or her LEOSA Card in the mail approximately 2 weeks after we receive the properly completed forms.

If you need to speak directly to a member of the Range Staff, contact Sergeant Cameron Murphy at 831-758-7394 or via email.

If you need to speak directly to Stephanie Morales-Bravo or Martha Guizar please call 831-758-7286.

Directory

Abandoned Vehicles

Administration

Animal Services

Anonymous Tip Line

Community Services

False Alarm Reduction Program

Evidence/Property Office

Investigations

Non-Emergency Dispatch

Officer’s Voicemail

Personnel & Training

Phone Directory Information

Police Activities League

Records, Police Services Group

Sex Offender Registration Line

Special Operations

Victims Advocate

Watch Commander

Alarm Registration

Under the oversight of the Salinas Police Department, PM AM Corporation provides alarm program administration and collection services.  To apply for a new alarm permit, renew your existing permit, or pay False Alarm Fees, please contact the Salinas False Alarm Reduction Program (FARP).

Website:

Phone:

Email:

If you are unable to resolve an issue after contacting PM AM Corporation, you may contact FARP staff at the Salinas Police Department via (831) 758-7093 or email us at [email protected].

Child Safety Tips

Children need to know how to stay safe and protect themselves from kidnapping. They need guidance on making safe choices and decisions. Below are some general guidelines and useful tips that parents can share with their children. It is also important to give children examples that they will understand. These simple tips can help keep our children safe.

  • First and foremost, explain that strangers should NEVER ask a child for assistance. They should never ask children for directions or for help with something they can do themselves, such as finding a lost puppy or kitten.
  • Discuss the issue of strangers. Simply put, a stranger is someone that a child does not know. Unfortunately, children conjure up the image of a “scary monster” when parents mention the word “stranger.” Explain that a stranger may look, act and dress nicely, or even wear a uniform.
  • A child may be in a situation that requires interaction with a stranger, and this may be confusing. As an example, if a child gets lost in a grocery store, the child should immediately go to the checkout counter or security office even though that may mean talking to a stranger. Instruct your child not to wander around looking for you. The child should seek help from someone who works in the store.
  • Role-play in various settings such as a park, a grocery store, your home and your neighborhood. Pose “what if?” scenarios and guide your children through the scenarios safely. Correct any un-safe choices and re-enforce safe choices.

Teach your children to:

  • Never take anything like candy, ice cream or money from a stranger.
  • Never take a ride from a stranger; check with parents or a trusted adult before accepting a ride even from someone they know.
  • Never give their name or address to a stranger.
  • Never say that they are home alone when answering the telephone.
  • Check with a parent or an adult guardian before leaving the yard or play area. Always try to take a friend when playing outside.
  • Create a commotion by yelling and screaming if a stranger tries to take them by force. Try to get away and immediately tell a parent or trusted adult what happened.

Links:

Daily Patrol Log

This information is being provided in accordance with the CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT, Government Code Section 7923.600. Any illegal use of this information may result in criminal prosecution. Information contained here displays crime reports generated for the last seven (7) days only.

Statistics

FBI UCR: NIBRS REPORTED

The Salinas Police Department submits crime data to the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) every month. The CA DOJ then shares this information with the FBI, which uses it as part of the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. The UCR Program follows specific guidelines to report and analyze crime data, helping law enforcement across the country develop reliable statistics.

California is one of the last states to report UCR data through the older Summary Reporting System (SRS). SRS only tracks limited crime types and records just the most serious offense in each incident. However, the FBI has replaced SRS with a newer system called the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Unlike SRS, NIBRS captures detailed information about all crimes within an incident. This additional data provides more context for crime trends and offers better tools for analysis.

In 2022, the Salinas Police Department transitioned to NIBRS. Before officially adopting the system, the department had to pass a rigorous review process. This required at least six months of complete and accurate data submissions. To earn NIBRS certification, agencies must also maintain an error rate of 3% or less for three consecutive months, with errors including missing required data fields.

Crime Stats

UCR Crime Statistics Disclaimer:

“UCR is a statistical crime reporting tool that is designed to show increases and decreases in reportable crime on a national level, not at the local jurisdictional level. It is designed as ‘trend data’ to measure crime in America and only reports certain crimes.”

Salinas Police Department Education and Training Materials

SB978

According to legal mandate SB978, commencing on January 1, 2020, all local law enforcement agencies, are required to “conspicuously post on their Internet Web sites all current standards, polices, practices, operation procedures, and education and training materials that would otherwise be available to the public if a request was made pursuant the California Public Records Act” (Government Code section 7920.000)

The Salinas Police Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life through the delivery of professional, superior, and compassionate police services to the community. Providing quality training to develop its personnel to further this mission is essential. Training is provided within the confines of funding, staffing levels, and legal mandates. The training referenced in this section consists of the regular and ongoing topics presented by the Salinas Police Department. The Department does not maintain education and training materials from external training vendors.

Please note: Police training is designed to prepare officers for challenging work. Training materials may depict graphic images or other content, that may be deemed inappropriate or misinterpreted due to lack of context.

Web Based Training

The California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) maintains an online training platform. As web-based training is assigned, it will be referenced here. Associated records are maintained by POST.

Canine

The Salinas Police Department uses the training vendor Precision Canine to conduct initial and ongoing, apprehension and detection training. Training frequency is monthly at a minimum. Records are maintained by the vendor.

Archived Training Materials

Victim Services | Victim Advocate

With the initial support of a grant from the US Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime, the Salinas Police Department has established a Victim Services Program which includes a Victim Advocate to serve the needs and rights of crime victims. While the focus is on violent crimes such as domestic violence, homicide, sexual assault and human trafficking, all victims and their families may be assisted. Services include, but are not limited to, crisis intervention, emotional support, personal advocacy, referral and resource sharing, and support with understanding and navigating the criminal justice system.

The Victim Services Program reflects the continuing commitment of the Salinas Police Department to work with local, state, and federal partners to improve service to crime victims, their families, and our community.

Contact Information:
Amber Wasson
(831) 758-7192
[email protected]

Assembly Bill 481 – Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition and Use Policy

History of Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481)

Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition and Use Policy

On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed one of many pieces of police reform legislation. AB 481 was prepared by Assembly member David Chiu (D-San Francisco) to address the funding, acquisition and use of military equipment.

Download the full text of AB 481 here. 

AB 481 Definition of Military Equipment

The Assembly Bill has designated the following categories of items as military equipment. The Salinas Police Department has equipment that meets the criteria for 9 of the 15 categories (categories 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14):

  • Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles (Equipment Category 1)
  • Mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles or armored personnel carriers (Equipment Category 2)
  • High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), two-and-one-half-ton trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have a breaching or entry apparatus attached (Equipment Category 3)
  • Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants (Equipment Category 4
  • Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the operational control and direction of public safety units (Equipment Category 5)
  • Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind (Equipment Category 6)
  • Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature (Equipment Category 7)
  • Firearms of .50 caliber or greater, excluding standard-issue shotguns (Equipment Category 8)
  • Ammunition of .50 caliber or greater, excluding standard-issue shotgun ammunition Equipment Category 9)
  • Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than .50 caliber, including firearms and accessories identified as assault weapons in Penal Code § 30510 and Penal Code §30515, excluding standard-issue service weapons (Equipment Category 10)
  • Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles (Equipment Category 11)
  • Noise-flash diversionary devices (flashbangs), explosive breaching tools, tear gas, and pepper balls (Equipment Category 12)
  • TASER® Shockwave, microwave weapons, water cannons, and long-range acoustic devices (Equipment Category 13)
  • Kinetic energy weapons and munitions (Equipment Category 14)
  • Any other equipment as determined by a governing body or a state agency to require additional oversight (Equipment Category 15)

Requirements of AB 481

AB 481 requires each law enforcement agency’s governing body to initiate the adoption of a written military use policy by ordinance in a public forum by May 1, 2022, in order to continue the use of this previously acquired equipment. To help guide this process, Salinas PD has taken several steps towards establishing a transparent process to achieve this. Documents required by the legislation are available here:

Community Meetings and Annual Reports

Upcoming Community Meetings and Annual Reports will be posted on the full Assembly Bill 481 page here.