California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow said Tuesday he has accepted the position of chief of police for the University of California, Davis, Police Department.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to be part of such a world-renowned university and excited to bring my 37 years of law enforcement experience to help protect and serve those who are part of the University’s community,” Farrow said in a written statement released by the CHP. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of California as a member of the California Highway Patrol and ultimately as commissioner.”
Farrow will begin his position as UC Davis chief of police in late August or early September, pending comprehensive background checks that are mandated for police personnel, according to a separate UC Davis statement.
He has served as the commissioner of the California Highway Patrol since 2008, under former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and current Gov. Jerry Brown.
“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 Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter, who selected Farrow in coordination with Chancellor-Designate Gary S. May. “He’s excelled in fostering trust, developing innovative programs and building support with diverse communities. We are eager for him to advance the tremendous efforts we have made over the last several years.”
In his role as CHP commissioner, Farrow has led more than 11,000 employees who are part of one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies.
In his long career with the CHP, Farrow has held every rank since graduating from the CHP Academy in 1979. His distinguished career began as a police officer in the small California city of Pacific Grove.
He is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and National Executive Institute. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and has served as the chair of its Officer Safety and Highway Safety Committees.
Farrow was appointed by former California Attorney General Kamala Harris to the California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board, and he is a member of the University of Southern California Safe Communities Institute and the California Peace Officers’ Association.
He was appointed by the governor to be California’s representative to the National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics.
Farrow has received numerous awards, including the J. Stannard Baker Award for Outstanding Achievements in Highway Safety, the Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional Award from the National Alliance of Mental Illness, and the Special Award of Recognition from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. He also received the president’s award from the Asian Pacific State Employees Association.
Farrow earned his master’s degree in education from California State University, San Diego, and his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento.
As the UC Davis chief of police, Farrow will have oversight over 80 full-time employees and 50 student employees at both the Davis campus and the university’s medical center in Sacramento.
Farrow succeeds Matt Carmichael, who served as police chief for five years and retired from the University of California in September 2016. Lt. Jennifer Garcia has been serving as interim chief of police since then.
At the CHP, Farrow was reported to have an annual income of $245,000. UC Davis’ recruitment announcement did not specify the pay range but said it is competitive and based on experience. Available figures for Carmichael’s pay put his annual salary at UC Davis at $170,000 annually.
“I would like to thank Jennifer Garcia, who has served as the interim chief since September. She has done a remarkable job during this time and we are grateful for her continued service to the department,” Hexter said.
“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,” Farrow said. “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.”
STATE: CHP commissioner named UC Davis Police chief
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