About Us
The Santa Barbara Police Department was founded January, 1, 1900. The first police station was housed at City Hall located a De La Guerra Plaza. At this time, means of transportation for the seven police officers consisted of foot patrol, one horse buggy, and a single bicycle. In 1960, the physical department was moved to its current building at 215 East Figueroa Street. The current rank structure of the department includes, Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, Commander, Lieutenants, Sergeant, and Officer, and has several divisions such as Field Operations, Strategic Operations, Investigative, and Chief’s Support Staff. The police department’s direct jurisdiction is a little over 40 square miles and has a population of 100,000 residents.
The Santa Barbara Police Department offers a dynamic and rewarding career for those ready to serve a vibrant coastal community. If you’re seeking meaningful work, diverse experiences, and real opportunities for growth, SBPD invites you to join our team of dedicated professionals. We stay at the forefront of training and technology to keep our community safe, all while serving a city known for its outdoor, active lifestyle—from beaches and parks to trails and scenic open spaces.
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Explore the wide range of career paths available at the Santa Barbara Police Department and discover how you can build your future with us. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical benefits, and a reliable, defined-benefit retirement program—along with the opportunity to make a lasting impact in one of California’s most beautiful cities.
Chief Kelly Gordon
Prior to joining Santa Barbara, Chief Gordon served as the Chief of Police for the Monterey Park Police Department, overseeing a department of approximately 150 personnel, including 78 sworn officers, and managing a $23 million budget. During her tenure, she modernized recruitment and hiring practices to reflect the evolving needs of policing, emphasizing diversity, equity, and retention through comprehensive selection and training programs. She also launched the Neighborhood Engagement Team, a multidisciplinary co-response model designed to better serve individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health crises.
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Chief Gordon is a strong advocate for officer wellness and resiliency, recognizing that the health and well-being of personnel are essential to effective policing and long-term career sustainability. She has championed wellness initiatives that support mental health, peer support, and work-life balance across all sworn and professional staff.
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She began her law enforcement career with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1996, later joining the Montebello Police Department in 2000, where she rose through the ranks to Lieutenant. In 2017, she was hired as a Captain by the Monterey Park Police Department, where she continued to lead in both operational and administrative roles before being appointed Chief.
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In addition to her law enforcement leadership, Chief Gordon served for over 20 years with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue Team and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. As a Canine Disaster Search Specialist, she deployed to major national disasters including the World Trade Center after 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ike, and Hurricane Rita.
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Chief Gordon holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona and a master's degree in leadership from Saint Mary’s College. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.
Her leadership philosophy centers on transparency, accountability, wellness, and building trust through meaningful community partnerships and forward-thinking public safety strategies.
