Scotts Valley PD Provides Backup in Wake of Officers' Killings in Santa Cruz

The Scotts Valley Police Department has provided manpower backup, investigative, and security support since the fatal shootings of two City of Santa Cruz detectives on Tuesday, Chief of Police John P. Weiss said Thursday.

"We sent an armored vehicle down with two detectives and five additional officers right after the incident broke," Weiss told Scotts Valley Patch in a phone interview Feb. 28. "We helped clearing schools, securing perimeters, and guarding the families of the fallen officers so they would not be harassed."

Scotts Valley PD has a total of 18 sworn personnel, from the chief down to patrol and support, but members of the force have been committed to supporting Santa Cruz police from the outset, Weiss said.

"We're understaffed here too," Weiss said. "But we are assisting with security for homes of families slain officers. We will assist with investigations if necessary, and we are planning to help with funeral services when they are scheduled."

Scotts Valley police are coordinating with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department, which has also provided manpower and relief for City of Santa Cruz police in the wake of the shootings on Tuesday.

"We stand by them," Weiss said. "This has been a tragedy. The one thing that's been positive has been the outpouring of good will in our community, and I think that's going to help us overcome this recent criminal violence."

The deaths of Detective Elizabeth Butler and Det. Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker were the first in the history of the Santa Cruz Police Department. They were killed in a confrontation Feb. 26 with a suspect on Branciforte Avenue.

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