Interim Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter has appointed Joseph A. Farrow to be the next UC Davis chief of police. Hexter made the selection in coordination with Chancellor-Designate Gary S. May.
Farrow 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,” Hexter said.
“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.”
Farrow was one of three finalists for the position. The others were UC Santa Cruz Police Chief Nader Oweis, a former UCD police lieutenant, and Christina Lofthouse, a lieutenant with the Sacramento State University 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.
“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,” he added.
“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.”
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, he 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 San Diego State University and his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sacramento State University.
As UC Davis’ police chief, 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 to serve as police chief for the University of Oregon. 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. She has done a remarkable job during this time and we are grateful for her continued service to the department,” Hexter said.
Farrow will begin his new position in late August or early September, pending comprehensive background checks that are mandated for police personnel.
— UC Davis News