SAND CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Meet the Sand City Police Department

CHIEF OF POLICE

David Honda

1 Pendergrass Way
Sand City, CA 93955
(831) 394-3054, ext. 212
dhonda@sandcitypd.org

Welcome to the Sand City Police Department webpage. The officers and professional staff of our Department strive to provide the best service possible to our community and the Monterey Peninsula. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with the community and other law enforcement agencies in order to impact crime and improve quality of life for our residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Sand City Police Department, under the direction of the Chief of Police, David Honda, is dedicated to the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws in a just and impartial manner. They are cognizant of both statutory and judicial limitations on police powers and continue to uphold the Constitutional Rights guaranteed to all individuals. The Sand City Police Department consists of the Chief of Police, a Commander, two Sergeants, six Officers and two Reserve Officers on a rotating 4-11 schedule.

Vision:

To earn and maintain the pride and respect of the community we serve.
To improve the quality of life for our residents, businesses, and visitors through exceptional service.

Mission:

Provide quality service through regional collaboration, technology, and community partnerships.
Operate in an ethical, moral, and transparent manner.
Serve everyone with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Meet The Chief

David Honda was sworn in as the Chief of Police for Sand City in July of 2023. He started his law enforcement career in 1990 with the San Jose Police Department (SJPD). David was assigned to numerous units as an officer which included: Patrol, Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET), Violent Crimes Enforcement Team (VCET), Mobile Emergency Response Group & Equipment (MERGE), and Field Training Officer (FTO). As a sergeant, he was assigned to Patrol, FTO, VCET, the Robbery Unit, and Internal Affairs. As a lieutenant, he was the Watch Commander for the Southern and Western Patrol Divisions, and the Special Operations Division Traffic Commander. He was promoted to Captain and oversaw the Southern and Western Patrol Divisions, Bureau of Administration, Bureau of Investigations, and was an Acting Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Technical Service.

In 2016, he was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the City of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County. He served on the Board of Directors for the Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA), California Peace Officers Association (CPOA), Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County, and on the Advisory Committee for the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). In 2021, he became a regional representative for the California Commission on POST, Region 6. At POST he audited police agencies to ensure compliance with state regulations.

Chief Honda holds a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership from St. Mary’s College of California and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology/Quality Assurance from San Jose State University. He is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley Chapter, the Chair of the Monterey Peninsula Special Response Unit, and a board member of the Monterey County Chief Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Special Programs

Salvation Army and the Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team (MDOT)

The Sand City Police Department works with the Salvation Army and partners with the Monterey Police Department’s MDOT to address the concerns related to the number of unsheltered individuals who frequent the City of Sand City. The MDOT is a collaborative, whole-community approach to assisting and providing needed services. The MDOT collaboration includes, but is not limited to, the following team members: Montage Health/Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP), Adult Protective Services, Monterey County Behavioral Health, and Interim Inc.

SPECIAL RESPONSE UNIT – S.R.U.

The Sand City Police Department is active in the Monterey Peninsula Regional Special Response Unit (S.R.U.). The SRU is a tactical team consisting of specially trained officers able to respond to high risk events on the Peninsula. The team also includes negotiators and tactical medical personnel. To be assigned to the SRU, an officer must complete a rigorous application process including physical fitness, firearms qualifications and an interview before being selected. These officers receive a significant amount of training during their time assigned to the team.