Coffee with a Cop is back!

We’re bringing back Coffee with a Cop!

Join us Tuesday, August 3 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the Starbucks on Freedom Boulevard.

This is a great opportunity to stir up casual conversations with the men and women who serve this community and discuss som...

National Night Out 2021

Let the countdown begin!

This year’s 38th annual National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, October 5.

National Night Out strengthens the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community...

WPD to hold helmet distribution event for kids

Back by popular demand!

For the third year in a row, our Traffic Unit has teamed up with the California Office of Traffic Safety to provide helmets and other safety equipment for local kids.

This summer’s helmet distribution and fitting event has ...

2021 Fourth of July Holiday Weekend Recap

We had another busy Fourth of July weekend this year with officers responding to hundreds of fireworks-related calls and several major incidents.

From July 3-4th, we had 264 calls for service that strictly involved fireworks. Officers issued citations for ...

WPD joins hundreds of first responders for active shooter training

Watsonville Police officers joined hundreds of first responders from across the Central Coast to train on how to properly respond to critical incidents such as an active shooter with mass casualties. 

This was one of the first opportunities where ...

WPD officer honored with Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award

Watsonville Police Officer Evan Umstead was recently recognized for his commitment to keeping our community safe from drunk drivers. 

This past year, Ofc. Umstead took 24 intoxicated drivers off our roadways.

His efforts to prevent another life fro...

WPD Cadet accepted to master’s degree program

Congratulations are in order for Watsonville Police Cadet Captain Katelyn Meyer who was recently accepted to San Jose State University’s Research and Experimental Psychology Master’s Program!

She began her journey as a cadet i...

WPD CARE Team working to help individuals & families affected by mental illness

We’re living in stressful times and it’s absolutely normal for many of us to feel anxious, sad, or even overwhelmed. 

The good news is there is help. Our Crisis Assessment Response and Engagement (CARE) Team continues to provid...

Watsonville Police Chief David Honda to retire

Dear Community of Watsonville, 

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement after more than 30 years in public service. It has been a privilege and honor to serve you, the City of Watsonville, with some of the finest men and women in l...

Watsonville Police Department releases annual report

The intent of this report is to provide you with some insight into the organization of your department, highlight the major events of the previous year, and introduce new or innovative programs.  

As you read this report, we hope that reviewing th...

Watsonville Police welcome three new officers

Say hello to the latest officers to join the Watsonville Police Department!

The trio—Chance Denecke, Angel Hernandez, and Marcos Rios—was sworn in by Chief Honda Thursday afternoon.

Officer Trainees Denecke, Hernandez, and Rios will start our 6-month Field ...

Monarch Services and WPD ongoing partnership

Thank you, Monarch Services for providing our officers a refresher course on the resources your agency offers to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

Our department works hand-in-hand with Monarch Services to ensure servic...

WPD campaign raises more than $13,600 for families affected by breast cancer

More than $13,600 was raised during the Watsonville Police Department’s 2020 Pink Patch Project campaign.

Every year in October, the campaign aims to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and support research organizations in combati...

WPD awarded more than $107,000 in grants to increase road, bicycle and pedestrian safety

The Watsonville Police Department has been awarded two grants totaling $107,500 to increase road, bicycle, and pedestrian safety. 

A $65,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety will assist us in our efforts to reduce deaths and inju...