SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol has a new look and a change in the way they handle education and enforcement at the waterfront.
Under a law signed by Governor Newsom in 2001 (Senate Bill 2) with key changes taking place now, the officers are no longer carrying a firearm or handcuffs. There is also a uniform change from tan shirt to navy blue. The officers duty belt will have a communications radio but that’s all.
Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Captain Nathan Alldredge said, “our officers will continue to enforce all boating law enforcement all municipal code down here in the harbor district and in the waterfront district. The only change is they won’t be enforcing the California State Penal Code.”
The Harbor Patrol for months has been working with the Police department and various city departments to have a smooth transition. With the passing of a Senate bill, to keep their firearms and to do penal code enforcements, the officers would have had to go through 850 hours of instruction over five months. It would be through the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training program (POST). That would create uniform standards.