What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 12pm 1pm - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 12pm 1pm - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 12pm 1pm - 5pm Thursday 8am - 12pm 1pm - 5pm Friday 8am - 12pm 1pm - 5pm

Santa Cruz County Probation

Home
United States
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz County Probation

Our VISION is a safe, equitable, and thriving community.

Our MISSION is to contribute to community well-being through positive engagement, connection to services, and support for those impacted by crime.

09/16/2026

Employee Spotlight: Officer Jose Rocha

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting Officer Rocha, a Probation Officer who has spent his career working with youth in our community.

Raised in Watsonville, Officer Rocha grew up in a farmworking family and spent his summers working in the fields from sunrise to sunset. Those experiences shaped his work ethic and remain an important part of his story.

Officer Rocha has been a Probation Officer since 2016 and has worked with juveniles throughout his career. He chose this path because he wanted to be a role model for young people—many of whom come from backgrounds similar to his own.

In addition to his work as a Probation Officer, Officer Rocha serves as a Field Supervision Officer (FSO) and Taser Instructor. He also supports the Aztecas Soccer Program, helping serve more than 200 youth through the Aztecas Summer Camp.

Thank you, Officer Rocha, for the work you do and the example you set for the youth we serve. 👏

09/04/2026

Honored to receive Monarch Services’ Partner of the Year Award. Recognition belongs entirely to our Santa Cruz County Probation team.

Our officers, analysts, fiscal staff, and support staff show up every single day with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to supporting individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. Our probation officer’s work goes far beyond case management, it’s about creating real change, fostering accountability, and standing alongside survivors with respect, care, and humanity.

Since 2019, under AB372 our department has been proud to be one of only six counties in California piloting the Positive Solutions Program, an individualized model that provides the right dosage of services based on each person’s unique needs. It’s a transformative approach that helps change harmful norms, build emotional awareness, and break cycles of violence at their roots.

We’re grateful for this recognition and deeply appreciative of our partnership with Monarch Services. Let’s continue this important work together for survivors, families, and our community.

08/29/2026

⛳️ Our officers had a great time participating in the Bay Region 3rd Annual J.A.S. Summer Games Golf Tournament! Friendly competition, great company, and lots of fun.

08/28/2026

Our Juvenile Hall Team is proud to partner with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education to implement PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports). Staff continue their training and are excited about the progress, collaboration, and positive impact on youth.

PBIS helps us:
• Promote positive behavior and student engagement
• Support safe, humane, growth-oriented environments
• Reframe rules to highlight desired behaviors
• Build recognition systems that fit facility routines
• Align with existing programs like substance use and cognitive-behavioral treatment

Together, we’re strengthening skills, structure, and support for the youth we serve.

08/21/2026

🚨 COMMUNITY SCAM ALERT – PRETRIAL SERVICES / ELECTRONIC MONITORING SCAM

🚨 ALERTA DE ESTAFA PARA LA COMUNIDAD – ESTAFA RELACIONADA CON SERVICIOS PREVIOS AL JUICIO / MONITOREO ELECTRÓNICO
Queremos alertar a nuestra comunidad sobre una estafa que involucra a una persona que afirma falsamente representar a la policía local o al Programa de Servicios Previos al Juicio (Pretrial Services) del Departamento de Libertad Condicional del Condado de Santa Cruz.

Un miembro de la comunidad informó haber recibido una llamada de alguien que aseguraba poder ayudar a liberar de la cárcel a un ser querido y colocarle un monitor electrónico en el tobillo a cambio de miles de dólares. Los estafadores pueden solicitar el pago a través de Cash App, Apple Pay, tarjetas de regalo de Apple, tarjetas de regalo Visa u otras formas de pago inmediato.

⚠️ ESTO ES UNA ESTAFA.
Por favor, recuerde:
• El programa de Servicios Previos al Juicio no cobra a las personas ni a sus familias ninguna tarifa por participar en el programa o por el monitoreo electrónico.
• Servicios Previos al Juicio no exigirá pagos mediante tarjetas de regalo, Cash App, Apple Pay o métodos de pago similares para gestionar la liberación de alguien bajo custodia.
• La inclusión en el programa de Servicios Previos al Juicio y el monitoreo electrónico se determinan a través del tribunal y de los procedimientos establecidos para la libertad previa al juicio; no se pueden comprar ni gestionar pagando a alguien por teléfono.
• Los estafadores pueden utilizar los nombres, rangos o títulos de personal real de las fuerzas del orden para hacer que sus llamadas parezcan legítimas.
• Si recibe una llamada sospechosa sobre un ser querido bajo custodia, no envíe dinero ni compre tarjetas de regalo. Deténgase y verifique la información de forma independiente a través de canales oficiales.

Por favor, comparta esta información con familiares y amigos, especialmente con cualquier persona que pueda tener un ser querido bajo custodia.

Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con el Programa de Servicios Previos al Juicio del Departamento de Libertad Condicional del Condado de Santa Cruz al (831) 454-2846.

07/15/2026

Celebrating 37 Years of Service: Honoring Assistant Chief Valerie Thompson

Please join us in celebrating Assistant Chief Valerie Thompson and recognizing her remarkable 37-year career in public safety, including 12.5 years of exceptional leadership with the Santa Cruz County Probation Department.

Throughout her tenure, Assistant Chief Thompson fostered a culture of innovation, accountability, and growth, mentoring officers, supervisors, and managers through a coaching-based leadership style that strengthened our department.

Her impact includes:
• Championing the Results Count framework, helping Santa Cruz County earn national recognition for data-driven, equity-centered supervision.
• Helping secure MIOCR grant funding that contributed to a 92% decrease in out-of-home placements, keeping youth connected to their families and communities.
• Hosting model site visits for teams from across the country, as well as an international delegation from Mexico, to share Santa Cruz County’s innovative practices.
• Securing countywide funding for the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Results Count framework, embedding fairness and continuous improvement across partner agencies.

Her guiding philosophy says it best:
“With accountability, opportunity, and support, individuals can thrive and contribute to safer, stronger communities.”

Thank you, Assistant Chief Thompson, for your vision, compassion, and unwavering commitment to public service. We are grateful for your leadership and the lasting impact you’ve made on our department, our partners, and the communities we serve. We wish you all the best in your well-earned retirement!

07/14/2026

Join us for National Night Out 2026!

📅 Tuesday, August 4, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Pinto Lake County Park, Watsonville

This FREE family-friendly event will feature:
🎨 Face painting
🎯 Fun activities
🍔 Food
🎶 Music
🎁 Prizes & raffles
🤝 Community resources

National Night Out is a great opportunity to connect with local agencies, strengthen community partnerships, and enjoy an evening with family, friends, and neighbors.

We hope to see you there!

07/07/2026

Game on! Aztecas Soccer Camp is officially underway! We’re excited to kick off a week of fun, teamwork, and community with local youth.

Stay tuned all week and next for camp highlights, smiles, and plenty of summer soccer action!

06/23/2026

A Father’s Day project worth sharing.

With the support of JH Group Supervisors Vazquez and Camacho, youth at Juvenile Hall created cards, photo frames, and gift bags to celebrate the fathers and father figures in their lives.

Activities like these encourage creativity, reflection, and meaningful family connections 💙

06/05/2026

Protecting our community comes in all shapes and sizes. 🐾

Yesterday, a few of our officers spotted this German Shepherd running loose near Soquel Drive and Post Office Drive in Aptos during their lunch break. They safely secured him and transported him to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter in Watsonville.

If you recognize this pup, please contact the shelter and help reunite him with his family.

Address

303 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA
95060

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 12pm
	1pm - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 12pm
	1pm - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 12pm
	1pm - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 12pm
	1pm - 5pm
Friday	8am - 12pm
	1pm - 5pm

Website

https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/ProbationDepartment.aspx

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Santa Cruz County Probation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Santa Cruz?