City of Watsonville Police Department.
When to call 9-1-1.
Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Deputy Chief Rudy Escalante has worked in Santa Cruz County law enforcement for 25 years. He spent the past 24 years with the Santa Cruz Police Department where he was the Investigations Commander and Co-Commander of their Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team. During his law enforcement tenure, he has worked various patrol and investigations assignments. He is a court recognized expert in gang and narcotic investigations. While looking for a quadruple homicide suspect, he appeared on the national television show "America's Most Wanted." The suspect was ultimately located and apprehended in Reading, Pennsylvania that resulted in a life in prison sentence. Rudy Escalante, Deputy Chief of Police.

DC Escalante has a Master's Degree in Public Administration from San Jose State University, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix, and an Associate of Science Degree from Cabrillo Junior College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia, class 229. DC Escalante is an active committee member with the California Police Officers Association's (CPOA) Standards & Ethics Committee. While in Santa Cruz, he was the committee chair for the City's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

A native of Santa Cruz, DC Escalante has resided in Santa Cruz County his entire life with his wife and young son. He enjoys outdoor activities that include golf, surfing, skiing, and beach volleyball. His parents both grew up in Watsonville and his father served as a police reserve for the City of Watsonville Police Department in the 1950's.

DC Escalante is the current Board President for Janus of Santa Cruz, a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Santa Cruz County. He is a past board member of the Boys & Girls Club in Santa Cruz and served on as a panel member for Dominican Hospital regarding the Methamphetamine Epidemic in Santa Cruz County.

rescalan@ci.watsonville.ca.us