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The Mill Valley Police Department is hiring Lateral Police Officers, Academy Graduates, and/or Academy Attendees. Applicants MUST provide verification of enrollment in academy class if applying as 'Academy Attendee.'

SALARY | BENEFITS | BONUS

Salary: $8,701 - $10,577 (DOE)/Monthly + Benefits + Hiring Bonuses

$20,000 Hiring Bonus

40-hour Vacation Bank

40-hour Sick Bank

Vacation accrual to match total years of service 

MOU scheduled raises July 2026

Deadline to apply: Open until filled - Applications reviewed on an ongoing basis

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Mill Valley, the third largest city in Marin County, is located 6 miles north of San Francisco at the foot of Mount Tamalpais. The population is 14,500 with another 16,000 within its sphere of influence. The city is primarily residential with an active commercial element supporting local needs. The cost of housing is high and is a factor applicants should consider.

The mountain and panoramic views of San Francisco create an awe-inspiring backdrop for thousands of hikers and mountain bikers who visit Mill Valley each year. They enjoy miles of fire roads and hiking trails both within the City limits and on adjacent Water District lands. Tourists visit the historic downtown on weekends and holidays, enjoying the numerous small specialty shops and fine restaurants, which comprise the majority of the downtown business.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Mill Valley Police Department is committed to providing exceptional public safety service, education and preparedness in partnership with our community. The Department strives to develop professional and well-trained employees dedicated to upholding the highest standards of law enforcement.

The Mill Valley Police Department's mission is to provide a safe and secure community for our residents and visitors; protect life and property; enforce the law in transparent and equitable manners; and develop strong partnerships through community outreach, education, and collaboration.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general supervision, a Police Officer is responsible to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; to perform investigative work; to participate in and provide support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs. This is the entry level classification in the professional police series requiring sworn peace officer status.

Examples of Essential Duties (include but are not limited to):

•  Patrol the City in radio-equipped car or on foot.
•  Answer calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of city, county, and state laws.
• Conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, hold-ups, vehicle accidents, death, and other criminal incidents.
• Patrol the City and respond to calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies.
• Observe, monitor, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions.
• Assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws.
• Make arrests as necessary.
• Interview victims, complainants, and witnesses.
• Interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence.
   

Application Instructions

1. Please thoroughly complete your application through CalOpps AND upload a thoughtful Cover Letter and Resume.
2. If you are currently attending academy, please upload verification of your attendance with your application.

Please be sure to fill out all applicable fields in CalOpps - do not simply say "see resume."

*Please note that the Job Description is currently under review, the job definition and duties contained in this announcement are representative of the job and are in substantial conformance to what the finalized description will include.

The Mill Valley Police Department is currently seeking applicants for the position of Police Officer Trainee, a salaried and benefitted, at-will classification which includes a Sponsored Police Academy opportunity. 

A valid (within 1-year) and passing PELLETB T-Score of 42 or higher, as well as a passing score of 320 for the Physical Agility Exam and a maximum run completion time of 14 minutes for the 1.5 mile run is required to move forward in the hiring process. A list of testing sites and dates can be found here: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/

Salary + Benefits*
$5,894/month while a Police Officer Trainee
$8,701/month Step 1 Police Officer 

*Benefit info below. 

Deadline to Apply

Sunday, September 21 @ 10:00PM

Save the Date

If selected for the position, the employee will undergo a full background check, psychological testing, and medical testing. After passing required tests, the employee must commit to attending a 20-week program with the Santa Rosa Junior College Public Safety Training Center. The police academy will be held Monday – Friday and include some nights and weekends. The next academy is January 5 - May 22, 2026. 

Upon graduation, the successful trainee will be transitioned to a Field Training Officer program with the Mill Valley Police Department and promoted to Step 1 Police Officer (probationary) with full benefits. If the employee does not complete and graduate the police academy with a POST academy certificate, they will be released from employment. The applicant may be released at any point they do not pass required testing during the course of the police academy. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Police Officer Trainee position enables an incumbent to attend a local law enforcement academy and earn their POST (California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) certificate of academy completion while enjoying the support and mentorship of our agency, and receiving compensation. Through the academy and certification process, the successful incumbent will become eligible for promotion to Police Officer and immediate transition into MVPD's Field Training Program.

Police Officer Classification - Examples of Essential Duties (include but are not limited to):

•  Patrol the City in radio-equipped car or on foot.
•  Answer calls for the protection of life & property, and the enforcement of city, county, and state laws.
• Conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, hold-ups, vehicle accidents, death, and other criminal incidents.
• Patrol the City and respond to calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies.
• Observe, monitor, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions.
• Assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws.
• Make arrests as necessary.
• Interview victims, complainants, and witnesses.
• Interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence.
   

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please thoroughly complete your application through CalOpps AND upload a thoughtful Cover Letter and Resume.
2. Upload your valid P.O.S.T. PELLET B Exam, (minimum passing score of T-42 for Entry Level Officer Only). Your valid Physical Agility Exam (minimum passing score of 320) and run completion (maximum time of 14 minutes for 1.5 miles).

*Please note that the Job Description is currently under review, the job definition and duties contained in this announcement are representative of the job and are in substantial conformance to what the finalized description will include.

Under the direction and supervision of the Lieutenant, the Police Sergeant participates in patrol, and may oversee the law enforcement, Police Dispatch and Animal Control activities during an assigned shift. This position leads, inspects, gives instructions to, counsels and provides direction to personnel; completes reports, citations, and other required document reviews to ensure thoroughness, grammar, and spelling; maintains discipline and ensures that department rules, regulations and policies are followed; participates in police patrol activities, including the enforcement of local, state and federal laws, issuing citations, making arrests. This position may also be in charge of an area of responsibility such as training and scheduling, investigations or support services as needed in addition to their patrol supervision responsibilities. This position will prepare reports related to assigned areas of responsibility and prepare and review department policies and procedures manual(s). This position will direct, supervise, guide and train employees assigned in programs instituted by the department. This position will conduct investigations concerning complaints on personnel. This position may address public meetings to promote better community relations and will carry out other related duties as assigned. This position may conduct background investigations of prospective Police Department employees.

Incentives:

• Education Incentives (3% for AA) (6% for BA/BS or Advanced POST) (9% for Masters) 
• $1,000 Annual Uniform Allowance