New Belvedere police officer brings Mill Valley experience to smaller force

After spending just over two years as an officer with the Mill Valley Police Department, Tyler Preston was ready for a change — and he says he’s found it in Belvedere.

“Mill Valley is a lot busier than Belvedere so far,” says Preston, who joined the city’s Police Department as a patrol officer Jan. 4 and was ceremonially sworn in at the Jan. 12 City Council meeting. “I basically just wanted something a little more slow-paced, where I can spend time with the family and essentially not take anything home.”

Preston’s hire at an annual salary of $104,484 brings some long-awaited relief to the Belvedere department, which had been operating with only four officers. That’s resulted in long shifts, schedule adjustments and part-time officers to maintain 24-hour coverage, with support from the Tiburon Police Department during extended absences, officials have said.

Adding Preston brings the department to five patrol officers, what officials have called “manageable” but still one below “ideal.”