Protect, Serve, Join

May 22, 2018 9:47 AM
by Saul Rodriguez

Content Provided Courtesy of Santa Monica Police Department. Article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Seascape.

Being a Police Officer is a job that comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility and dedication. Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) takes the selection process very seriously and has long set a standard of providing excellent public service with the highest level of professionalism. The application and hiring process includes a written examination, physical fitness test, an oral interview, background investigation, and a physiological and medical examination. But it’s worth it! We asked a few SMPD officers to talk about their experience in the field, what they love about their jobs, and their most memorable moments. For more information on the hiring process, go to santamonicapd.org.

Bryan Kim

Morning Watch Officer, Patrol Division

“Becoming a D.A.R.E. Officer was important to me because I grew up in Santa Monica and I want to have a positive impact on kids in the community, the same way SMPD Officers did for me when I was growing up. SMPD Officers strive to provide high-quality customer service and help solve a wide range of issues in the community, while keeping the public and fellow officers safe.”

Matthew Lieb

Motorcycle Officer, Traffic Services Division

“I get to ride a motorcycle for work, how cool is that! In this position, I truly believe I am making a difference by removing drunk drivers from the roadways while providing education and enforcement along the way. Being on a motorcycle in our City is amazing. Not only do I get to focus on the proactive enforcement related to traffic, but can also be on the scene quickly when needed.”

Candice Cobarrubias

Lieutenant, Traffic Services Division

“It takes passion, empathy, ambition and an overall desire to do something rewarding, not to mention the ability to have fun. The people that I work with are like family. Not every day is the same. One of my most memorable moments was writing a search warrant for a puppy who was stolen during a residential burglary. The puppy was thrown onto the roof by the suspect, and our team of detectives ran to save the puppy before it fell off the building!”

Evan Raleigh

Day Watch Officer, Field Training Division

“Being an SMPD officer requires innovative thinking, physical fitness, patience and the ability to communicate openly with an extremely diverse community. I love the problemsolving aspect of my job. As a first responder, it is humbling to work as part of a select group that responds to people in need.”

Authored By

Saul Rodriguez
Captain -