Captain Michael McKinley is originally from Sacramento, CA. In 1987, he moved to Santa Cruz County and soon after began attending the University of California, Santa Cruz. He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He later attended the Evergreen Valley College Police Academy in San Jose before joining the Watsonville Police Department in 1996.

Experience

Michael has served as a Police Officer, Corporal/Field Training Officer, Detective, Master Officer, Patrol and Administrative Sergeant, Lieutenant and currently as a Captain. His experience includes gangs, narcotics, community policing, long-term problem solving, and field training. He has previously volunteered as a Police Cadet and Police Reserve Officer Advisor and is currently a member of the department's Peer Support Team.

He also has worked closely in the past with the Neighborhood Services Division, including the Neighborhood Watch Program and the Post Incident Team. Michael is currently assigned to the Operations Division. His duties include managing the Blue Patrol Division, the Field Training Program, the K-9 Program and the Watsonville gang and alcohol enforcement teams.