Chief Bush is a 29 year veteran of the Scotts Valley Police Department. His career

began in May of 1973 when he became a Reserve Officer with the department. He was

hired as a full time officer in June of that same year. In May of 1974 he became a field

training officer and in May of 1975 he left that assignment to bcome the department's

first full time detective. In November of 1978 Chief Bush was promoted to Sergeant

where heserved until November of 1986 when he was promoted to Lieutenant. In August

of 1988 he was promoted to Captain and in July of 2001 he was promoted to Chief of Police.

Chief Bush has been a long standing member of the Scotts Valley Host Lion’s Club serving as one of the Board of Director’s. In his short tenure of Chief of Police Chief Bush also served as chair of the Santa Cruz County Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association. In his twenty-nine year career Chief Bush was named Officer of the Year on three separate occasions (1978, 1982 and 1997) by the Exchange Club of Scotts Valley.

Chief Bush has numerous commendations in his file including a Mayor’s Proclamation for his work in the 1982 floods and the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. He has also received over ninety Commendations throughout his career from the Chief of Police and citizens commending his actions.

Chief Bush was honored in 1996 with a Medal of Merit Award by then Chief Stephen Walpole for meeting the challenge of cancer and returning to duty on a part-time basis only four to six weeks after his surgery. This showed Tom’s outstanding service to the department and ultimately to the community he serves.

Chief Bush is also a graduate of Leadership Santa Cruz County, Class Ten. Chief Bush has also received numerous commendations for his work with the Northern California Special Olympics Committee.

In 1990 Chief Bush received the Mayor’s Service Award, for his outstanding service to the community.