The Scotts Valley Police Department swore in its 20th officer on Dec. 30, and for the first time in years, the department is fully staffed.
Officer-in-training Paul Meier is a Scotts Valley resident who grew up in Felton and attended White Oak High School in Ben Lomond.
“I decided in high school that I wanted to get into law enforcement and I have been working towards that goal for the last eight years,” he said.
Prior to becoming an employee of the police department, Meier taught martial arts, worked as a security officer for a Watsonville-based company, and put himself through the police academy. He also maintained a job at Starbucks where he initially became acquainted with members of the Scotts Valley police.
“In Paul’s case, we were excited with him because he has already been through the police academy and successfully completed it,” said Scotts Valley Police Chief John Weiss. “He is a local guy, 26 years old, lives right here in Santa Cruz County, born and raised, and he was very enthusiastic about coming to work for our police department and that’s why I hired him.”
Meier holds a black belt in Jiu-Sool-Do and is certified to teach Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Inayan Eskrima as well.
“It’s a complicated job and it’s really important to find the right people that fit in it, and Paul is a bright young man, he is mature, he has a black belt in martial arts — so we know he can handle himself,” Weiss said.
After applying with the department, Meier went through the hiring process, which involved a written exam, oral board, background investigation, lie detector exam, psychological exam, and the chief’s interview.
“Police officers become problem-solvers, and all the people we hire know from going through the academy and field training that it’s a complicated job,” Weiss said. “All you have to do is turn on the news to see when officers are in very difficult situations.”
Since he already completed the police academy, Meier has approximately five months left in the field-training program before he can become a full patrol officer.
“I am just ecstatic to be working in the city that I live in; personal investment in the community really means a lot to me,” Meier explained. “I am looking forward to getting the chance to serve the community here in Scotts Valley.”
