CHP Commissioner Leaving For Role As UC Davis Police Chief

DAVIS, CA -- California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joseph "Joe" Farrow will be leaving his post as the top law enforcement officer of one of the nation's largest public safety agencies to serve as the next chief of police at University of California, Davis, it was announced Tuesday.

According to a UC Davis news release, Farrow is expected to begin his new position in late August or early September.

"Joe Farrow has more than 37 years of public safety service, and our campus will benefit in numerous ways because of his leadership, commitment and experience,” said Interim UC Davis Chancellor Ralph Hexter, whose selection of Farrow was in coordination with Chancellor-Designate Gary May.

"He’s excelled in fostering trust, developing innovative programs and building support with diverse communities," Hexter said. "We are eager for him to advance the tremendous efforts we have made over the last several years."

Farrow, 61, is retiring from the CHP after nearly four decades, the last of which he has served as commissioner -- a role he was initially appointed to by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and again by Gov. Jerry Brown.

"While I am eager to start this new chapter in my life, a piece of my heart will always be with the CHP, my friends, its valued employees, its important mission, and the families left behind by those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Farrow said in a statement.

It will be a change in pace for Farrow. In the position at UC Davis, he will oversee 80 full-time employees and 50 student employees at both the Davis campus and the university’s medical center in Sacramento -- versus the CHP's statewide force of 11,000 men and women.

"The CHP has been my family for nearly four decades, and through the years, I have seen that family grow and mature into what it is today, a world class state law enforcement agency that provides an invaluable service to nearly 40 million Californians and its visitors," Farrow said. "I am proud of each and every one of the Department’s 11,000 men and women, who go to work each day to keep Californians safe."

On Tuesday, The Sacramento Bee reported that when Farrow attended a recent leadership conference at UC Davis, he became inspired to apply for the position, which will allow him to return to his roots of community-oriented policing. Prior to graduating from the CHP Academy in 1979, Farrow served as an officer in the small city of Pacific Grove.

At UC Davis, Farrow will fill the vacancy created in September 2016 when then-chief Matt Carmichael, retired from the university. Lt. Jennifer Garcia has been serving as interim chief of police since then.

"I would like to thank Jennifer Garcia, who has served as the interim chief since September," Hexter said. "She has done a remarkable job during this time and we are grateful for her continued service to the department."

Patch is seeking comment from California Highway Patrol headquarters about the process of filling the commissioner vacancy once Farrow departs.

Photo courtesy of California Highway Patrol