Bear Valley Community Services District

Bear Valley Police Department

The Bear Valley Police Department is committed to providing premium public safety service to the community through fairness, professionalism, integrity, and an endless devotion to enhancing security and quality of life in Bear Valley Springs.

General Information
News & Information
Download Forms
Services
Sign up for CodeRED
Safe Medication Disposal Program
Volunteers
Police Manual

Mission Statement

The Bear Valley Police Department is committed to providing premium public safety service to the community through fairness, professionalism, integrity, and an enduring devotion to enhancing security and the quality of life in Bear Valley Springs

Location:

Located at the entrance to Bear Valley Springs on Bear Valley Road, across from the Gatehouse.

Hours of Operation:

The Administrative Office is open from 8 am until 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Officers are available through dispatch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Chief of Police

Chief Tim Melanson began his professional career in the U.S.Army’s 7th Light Infantry Division, later graduating from the prestigious U.S. Army Ranger School (cls.1-85). He then joined the Army Reserve where he served until 2002 achieving the rank of sergeant first class (E-7).  

He began his law enforcement career with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in 1997 and served as a deputy, senior deputy, sergeant,lieutenant, and commander, working in various areas of the department including patrol and investigations in east Kern communities and metropolitan Bakersfield.  

He supervised the Lamont substation, supervised an undercover narcotics team, and managed the department’s Aviation Unit earning his private license as a helicopter pilot.  He served as an operator and team leader on the department’s SWAT team and was a certified Bomb Technician on the Bomb Squad.

Chief Melanson commanded the Lerdo Jail with a staff of over 350 detentions deputies and civilians, and the Patrol Division prior to his retirement from the Sheriff’s Office in 2018.  He was sworn in as the Bear Valley Police Chief on April 1, 2018.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Bakersfield.

Citizen Complaint Form

Police Report Request Form

Vacation Patrol Check Form

Windshield Decal Request Form

Services offered by the Bear Valley Police Department

Hours of Operation (Business hours): 8 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday

Officers are available via Dispatch 24 hours a day.

File a police report:

‍If it is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. For non emergency calls for service, call 661-861-3110

Live Scan:

Not currently offering service due to COVID -19

Crime Report Requests

The Bear Valley Police Department’s Records Manager is responsible for maintaining all police records, including crime reports generated officers.

Crime reports are protected by California Government Code Section 6254(f), also known as the Public Records Act, which dictates to whom, and under what circumstances, copies of crime reports may be released.

The Public Records Act dictates law enforcement make available to the victim (or their representative) copies of crime reports for certain types of crimes, redacting any information the law declares they are not entitled to receive.

The Bear Valley Police Department is prohibited by law from releasing juvenile reports, any reports related to suicides or death, mental health holds/commitments, sexual assaults, and elder abuse. The release of such reports requires a court order.

To request a report, print the attached form (also available at the Police Department) and deliver the completed form to the Police Department. Most police reports are available 10 days after the incident date.

  • Crime Report: $10 per report
  • Traffic Accident Report: $25 per report. No charge if requester is involved in the event.

VIN Verification

Bring the vehicle to the Police Department for verification.

  • ‍VIN Verification Fee: $10 per verification

Citation Sign-off

Bring the citation and the vehicle which was cited to the Police Department during business hours.

  • ‍Citation Sign-Off fee: $10 per sign-off

Vehicle release $100

Administrative Citation Payment

Administrative citations can be paid at the District Office at 28999 S. Lower Valley Rd

Vacation Home Patrol Check

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What is CodeRED?

CodeRED is an emergency public warning service used by communities throughout the country to deliver emergency notifications through automated phone calls, text messages, and/or email messages.

The Bear Valley Police Department uses CodeRED to alert residents to significant weather events, road restrictions, emergency evacuations, wildland fires, and other threats to the community.

How do I sign up to receive CodeRED alerts?

We recommend that you create a managed account (one of two options on the CodeRED page). Creating a managed account allows users to access their accounts and update phone numbers and alert settings as needed.

I believe I'm signed up, but I'm not receiving alerts.

If you experience problems with CodeRED, such as not receiving alerts or not receiving the specific alerts you signed up for (email or text message) call OnSolve technical support at 866-939-0911 and follow the prompts to reach CodeRED specific support. Technicians are available 24/7 to assist you in determining the problem and quickly correcting it.

If you would like to change your legacy account toa managed account, or make changes to address, phone numbers or alert types, CodeRED technical support can assist with that too.

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The CodeRED system also provides an app available for iOS and Android. The app provides expanded services and capabilities, descriptions of which can be found on the CodeRED website.

Click Here to Sign Up!

Safe Medication Disposal

The collection container is located in the lobby of the Bear Valley Police Department

Unused and expired prescription medications present a public safety hazard. These medications, when thrown into the trash, can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. To combat these problems and provide residents with a safe means of disposing of medications, the Bear Valley Police Department has installed a safe medication disposal drop box in the lobby of the Police Department. The lobby is open to the public 24/7.

Medications collected through the program are periodically disposed of through a partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

What is accepted?

  • Unused or expired prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter medications

What is not accepted?

  • Illegal drugs
  • Needles/sharps
  • Lotions or liquids
  • Inhalers
  • Aerosol cans
  • Thermometers
  • Hydrogen peroxide

Volunteers In Police Service

The VIPS primary role is to provide support to the Bear Valley Police department in delivery of service to the community.

Without the VIPS, popular community-building events like National Night Out, the 4th of July Celebration, Trunk or Treat, Christmas with Santa, and others could not happen.

The BVPD recognizes and values the selfless contributions the VIPS gift to the community and the police department.

THANK YOU VIPS VOLUNTEERS!

VIPS are currently accepting applications for community minded individuals who are interested in providing service to the residents of Bear Valley Springs. For information please contact Capt. Jay Carlyn: (702) 591-6893

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Download Police Manual