Mill Valley City Manager Alan Piombo has appointed Lieutenant Lindsay Haynes as Interim Police Chief, effective July 21, 2020. Haynes became the Acting Police Captain in February, when Piombo shifted to his role as Acting City Manager/Chief of Police, after the retirement of former City Manager Jim McCann. 

Haynes took on the mantle just before the start of the COVID-19 health crisis and subsequent economic downturn, which created new and unprecedented challenges with quickly shifting health regulations, as well as efforts to support our local merchants and residents. 

The murder of George Floyd in late May sparked local peaceful protests and dialogue on racial equity and police accountability. During the past six months Lt. Haynes demonstrated her leadership and ability to perform well under pressure.

“Over the past few months, Lt. Haynes has been a strong, steady, and responsive leader in the face of extraordinary challenges,” City Manager Piombo said. “We are confident in her leadership and ability to provide exceptional public safety service in partnership with our community.”

Mayor Sashi McEntee also commented on the interim appointment: “We are fortunate to have a leader such as Lt. Haynes at this time. She has shown that she has the necessary skills, abilities, and the experience to lead the department and serve the community with insight and compassion.” 

Lt. Haynes has served the City of Mill Valley since 2004, steadily rising through the ranks, spending the past four years as Lieutenant. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona in Family Studies and Human Development and a minor in Athletic Coaching. She served as assistant coach under Coach Erin Lawley for the Tamalpais High School girl’s championship softball team in 2014.

Lt. Haynes holds a Police Officer Standard and Training (POST) Management Certificate, which is awarded to peace officers who achieve increasingly higher levels of education, training, and experience in their pursuit of professional excellence. She is currently a member of the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Programming Committee through the California Police Chiefs Association. 

Lt. Haynes has worked on a number of important Mill Valley projects, including liaison assignments on the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Miller Avenue Streetscape Project. She was tapped to create the department’s first annual report which was released at the end of 2019.

Haynes said that she looks forward to continuing to serve the community in this role. “Like many people around the world, we are all being asked to step up in the face of difficult and constantly shifting circumstances. I thank the men and women of the Mill Valley Police Department for their support, and City Manager Piombo for the chance to serve the community through these times,” she said. 

“I am also looking forward to working with the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force to further explore how our local government can proactively address racial inequities and build more opportunities for positive connections between law enforcement and community members. I acknowledge that policing has been at the forefront of discussions and I am committed to a collaborative approach with our City Council, Task Force, and members of the community on this important effort.”  

Haynes will direct divisions within the Police Department which include patrol, traffic, and crime prevention. She will oversee the operations of 22 sworn positions, including two lieutenants, four patrol sergeants, a detective sergeant, four corporals, eight patrol officers, a school resource officer, and a motorcycle officer. Professional staff include two parking enforcement officers, one community service officer, one administrative assistant, and two records specialists.

Haynes currently resides in Sonoma County with her wife, who is a high school English teacher, and their daughter.

Next steps: The City is considering a recruitment process that may include discussions with local cities on a possible shared service agreement for the role of Chief of Police. Shared services can reduce or avoid costs, improve service delivery, while increasing effectiveness and efficiency in operations.