Lieutenant Van Cleve

Lieutenant Mike Van Cleve began his career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in 1994 and then worked for the Huntington Beach Police Department from 1998 to 2000. He lateraled to the Tustin Police Department in 2000. He attended and graduated from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Academy, Class 94-3.

CAREER

During his career as a Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy and Tustin and Huntington Beach Police Officer, Lieutenant Van Cleve worked a variety of assignments including Jail Deputy/Officer, patrol deputy/officer, reserve officer coordinator, detective, and field training officer.

Sergeant

Lieutenant Van Cleve was promoted to sergeant in 2009. Upon his promotion, he was assigned as a patrol supervisor and he also oversaw the field training program. In 2011, Lieutenant Van Cleve was selected as the Special Enforcement Detail supervisor (SED). As the SED supervisor, he and his team were responsible for the suppression of crime through directed enforcement from criminal intelligence. In 2022, he was appointed as the Criminal Investigation Unit supervisor where he oversaw the crimes against persons investigations.  

Lieutenant

In June of 2024, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned as the North Area Commander. In this position, Lieutenant Van Cleve is responsible for managing all policing activities in Tustin north of the I-5 freeway. He also manages the Field Training Program and the Detention Officer Training Program. 

EDUCATION

Lieutenant Van Cleve earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University Long Beach, graduating in 1991 and is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. 

PERSONAL LIFE

In his spare time, Lieutenant Van Cleve enjoys spending time with his family.