This article takes a look at Raul Aguilar’s appointment as the new police chief of Ross. It touches on his background with the College of Marin Police Department and what his leadership might mean for Marin County communities, from San Rafael to Sausalito.
It also traces the transition from retiring Chief Raffaello Pata and outlines how Aguilar hopes to foster transparency, accountability, and community engagement across Ross, San Anselmo, Larkspur, and neighboring towns.
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Raul Aguilar Named Ross Police Chief: A Marin veteran takes the helm
In a move that’s made some waves across Marin County, Raul Aguilar — now head of the College of Marin Police Department — was chosen as Ross’s next chief. The selection process included two fellow chiefs and Ross Mayor Julie McMillan.
Ross is preparing for a three-year contract with Aguilar, hoping for steady leadership as public safety priorities shift in towns from Mill Valley to Tiburon.
Aguilar says he’ll focus on integrity, accountability, transparency, and a community-focused mission. That fits with Ross’s reputation for thoughtful policing in the heart of Marin.
He’ll lead a tight-knit eight-officer department, drawing from decades of experience in the Marin County policing world. His long stint with the San Rafael Police Department gives him a pretty broad view.
Raul Aguilar: A Marin veteran with trusted leadership
With over a 25-year law enforcement career, Aguilar has held leadership roles in several Marin towns. He’s known for coordinating traffic safety, street crimes, and strong community engagement during his time in San Rafael.
At the College of Marin Police Department, he’s learned how to bridge campus safety with nearby neighborhoods in Kentfield and beyond. Aguilar’s work has meant building partnerships with schools, residents, and business districts—a rhythm that fits Ross’s daily life, from Ross Valley Elementary to the Novato corridors.
Contract details and timeline
The Town Council approved a three-year contract for Aguilar, starting at $210,000 per year. There are scheduled 3% raises in July 2027 and July 2028.
Aguilar takes over on April 27, with a swearing-in set for April 29. He’ll command eight officers patrolling Ross and will work closely with agencies in San Anselmo, Marin City, and Mill Valley.
The Pata connection: Mentorship and transition
Aguilar follows Raffaello Pata, who’s retiring after more than 40 years in law enforcement, including 34 years with the San Rafael Police Department. Pata started in Ross in 2021 and has known Aguilar for about 28 years, having been Aguilar’s field training officer early on.
Pata called Aguilar a “great fit” and pointed to his character and life experience as assets for the Ross community. That’s especially true in those daily, high-touch moments with families in Tiburon and Oakview across the county line.
College of Marin and broader Marin communities
The College of Marin is now searching for its own new police chief. Aguilar’s move to Ross puts a spotlight on how college-town policing overlaps with municipal safety in Kentfield and San Rafael, especially during evening classes and sporting events.
He’s expected to bring COPA and student outreach ideas to Ross, echoing the college’s work with districts in Fairfax and San Anselmo.
Mayor McMillan and Ross officials have talked up the value of an open-door policy and active school partnerships—things Aguilar’s known for in the Marinwood and Corte Madera corridors. The college’s need for a new police chief just shows how Marin institutions share the public safety load, from Larkspur to Mill Valley.
What Ross residents should watch for
As Aguilar settles in, folks in West Ross and the broader Tamalpais area can expect a policing model that puts accessibility and accountability front and center.
Proactive communication is on the table too. What does this mean in practice?
- Expanded community outreach and regular updates about public safety concerns in San Rafael neighborhoods right next to Ross.
- Stronger partnerships with schools and youth programs throughout the Ross Valley, Corte Madera, and Fairfax.
- More attention on traffic safety and reducing street crime in corridors connecting Larkspur and Sausalito.
- Transparent governance and leadership that residents in the Marin County towns—like Tiburon, Mill Valley, and Novato—can actually reach.
Ross’s new chief comes in with a real Marin background. He seems ready to lead a department that’s small but mighty in the Ross Valley and beyond.
If you live anywhere from San Rafael to Marin City, you might notice a shift toward more engaged, community-first policing. That’s very much in line with the values of this region—tight-knit neighborhoods, a patchwork of towns, and, honestly, a lot of pride in keeping things local.
Here is the source article for this story: Ross hires College of Marin police chief
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