Commander Stephen Craig was born in Santa Cruz, California, and grew up in Felton. He attended Cabrillo College, earning an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in May 1998, and later completed his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice through Faulkner University in 2022. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (Class #528).

Stephen began his law enforcement career in 1999 with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer. In 2002, he joined the Salinas Police Department as a Police Recruit and attended the Basic Police Academy at Evergreen College in San Jose, graduating in June of that year. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2017 and to Commander in 2026.

Throughout his career as an Officer, Stephen served in Patrol, the Violence Suppression Unit, Investigations as a Detective, and on the SWAT Team as a Medic, Breacher, and Assistant Team Leader. He was also Range staff and worked as an Active Shooter Response Instructor. As a Sergeant, he supervised Patrol, Investigations, the Field Training Program, continued instructing in Active Shooter Response, and served as a SWAT Team Leader.

Commander Craig is currently assigned to Field Operations, where he oversees a Patrol Watch and the Field Training Program.

Desk Phone: (831) 758-7250 
Email: Contact Form below