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The San Mateo Police Department is proud to announce that Sergeant Scott Olcese has received the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Excellence in Training Award for Individual Achievement, a statewide honor recognizing extraordinary contributions to law enforcement training. According to POST, the award recognizes remarkable effort or accomplishment resulting in a singularly significant or extraordinary contribution to public law enforcement training.

Before promoting to sergeant, Olcese served as the department’s POST compliance officer and training manager, overseeing training responsibilities for nearly 200 employees. In that role, he modernized the department’s training systems and improved access, accountability, and efficiency across the organization.

Olcese was nominated for the award based on his leadership in transforming the San Mateo Police Department’s training infrastructure through the launch of SMPD University and the development of a fully integrated digital training portal. His work helped move the department from a fragmented, paper-heavy process to a centralized, nearly paperless training environment that enhanced transparency, training access, and recordkeeping.

Reflecting on the recognition, Olcese emphasized the collective effort behind the achievement. “Although this is an individual award, I would like to recognize our instructor groups, the hard work and dedication of our officers, and the support and guidance of our command staff, all of whom played an important role in making this award possible.”

The nomination highlighted the systems Olcese developed enabled employees and supervisors to track training progress more efficiently, reduced administrative delays, and significantly decreased paper use. By leveraging existing software tools rather than outside vendors, the department also saved thousands of dollars.

“This is a proud moment for the San Mateo Police Department,” said Sergeant Michael Haobsh, who nominated Olcese for the award. “Scott took on one of the most challenging responsibilities in the department and handled it with professionalism, innovation, and a real commitment to improving how we train our people. This recognition is well deserved.”

The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training establishes statewide standards for peace officer training and professional development. The Excellence in Training Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions to law enforcement training.

Olcese’s recognition reflects both his individual dedication and the department’s ongoing commitment to high-quality training, accountability, innovation, and professional excellence.