Commissioner 

On November 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Amanda L. Ray as the 16th Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP); the first woman to lead the Department of more than 11,000 members.  Prior to her appointment to Commissioner, she served as the Deputy Commissioner and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CHP.

Commissioner Ray is a 30-year veteran of the CHP and has earned numerous awards and commendations in her personal life and during her professional career with the Department.  Commissioner Ray has been a pioneer for women in law enforcement as the first African American female in the CHP’s 91-year history to hold the position of Deputy Commissioner for the nation’s largest state police agency. 

Commissioner Ray served an integral role as the Department’s first female to be assigned as the Special Response Team Tactical Commander during Super Bowl 50 held at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.  Her vast field experience has allowed her to effectively serve as incident commander during a variety of other high-profile events including the Department’s response to COVID-19, civil unrest, and wildfires.

 In 2020, Commissioner Ray was selected to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute executive training program where she enhanced her knowledge in national and international political, economic, and social trends affecting law enforcement.

As a leader in law enforcement, Commissioner Ray holds firm to the values set forth by the CHP’s Public Trust Initiative to serve and safeguard our communities with compassion and understanding.  Throughout her career, Commissioner Ray has actively engaged with the communities she serves, seeking every opportunity to participate in outreach events, and active involvement in departmental programs to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.

 Commissioner Ray holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and she is the first female in the history of the CHP to hold the rank of Commissioner. 

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

On August 12, 2024, Assistant Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp was selected to serve as the Deputy commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).  Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp is a 23-year veteran of the CHP.

Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp was appointed to this distinguished leadership role by CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee, giving him executive level oversight of Assistant Commissioner, Field; Assistant Commissioner, Staff; and the Departmental Affairs Division, which consists of the Public Records Section; Community Outreach and Marketing Section; Equal Opportunity and Access Section; Internal Affairs Section; Audits and Inspections Section; Employee Health and Wellness Section; and Legal Affairs Section. 
 
Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp has held various assignments within Field Division commands, and CHP Headquarters.  Prior to joining the Department, Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp attended California State University, Sacramento, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.  In 2001, Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp entered the CHP Academy and was assigned to the Oakland Area upon graduation.  As an officer, he worked in various field area offices prior to promoting.  Throughout his career, Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp has served in numerous positions within the Department, including Field Training and Evaluation Program Sergeant, where he oversaw 112 trainees in the Oakland Area, and Chief of the Personnel and Training Division, overseeing all statewide training.  Furthermore, during his tenure as Chief of the Golden Gate Division, Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp’s vast experience and knowledge of field operations played a key role in the success of the 2023    Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in San Francisco, a major international event.
 
Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp became a POST Master Instructor in 2017, graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2019, and attended the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.  Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp also served as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain with the Golden Gate Division Special Response Team, leading the Department during several major civil disturbance incidents.  
Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp is firmly committed to investing in departmental personnel.  Throughout his career, he has led numerous promotional study groups for various ranks and classifications to develop future leaders of the Department.  His leadership is reflected in the success of others and commitment to the Department’s organizational values.  Throughout his entire career, Deputy Commissioner Beauchamp has stayed true to providing the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the communities of California.

Assistant Commissioner Field

On August 12, 2024, Chief Rodney Ellison was appointed by California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Sean A. Duryee to serve as the Department’s Assistant Commissioner, Field, with executive level oversight of the Department’s eight Field Divisions, and the Protective Services Division.  Assistant Commissioner Ellison is a 29-year veteran of the Department and has held various assignments within Field Division commands, and CHP Headquarters. 

Assistant Commissioner Ellison graduated the CHP Academy in 1995 and was assigned to the West Los Angeles Area.  Years later, he transferred to Valley Division’s Recruitment Unit, and was also selected to serve on the Governor’s Protection Detail.  In 2001, Assistant Commissioner Ellison was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the Investigative Services Section within CHP Headquarters.  He also served as part of Valley Division’s Investigative Services Unit where he was also a member of the Warrant Service and Special Response Teams.  In 2010, Assistant Commissioner Ellison promoted to the rank of Lieutenant within the Office of Community Outreach and Recruitment.  As a lieutenant, he was selected to serve at the CHP Academy, Valley Division Investigative Services Unit, and, eventually, at the CHP South Sacramento Area.

Upon his promotion to the rank of Captain, Assistant Commissioner Ellison was assigned to the newly created Professional Training Section, where he oversaw the creation and implementation of the Department’s Mental Illness Response Program.  After the success of this program, Assistant Commissioner Ellison was selected to serve as the commander of the Yuba-Sutter Area.  In 2018, Assistant Commissioner Ellison was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief and assigned to Central Division.  He was later selected to serve as an Assistant Chief in Valley Division.  In 2023, Assistant Commissioner Ellison was promoted to the rank of Chief and assumed command of Central Division. 

While in Central Division, he worked closely with the High-Speed Rail Authority, attending quarterly meetings and visiting nearly every construction site within the Central Valley.  He also implemented and oversaw the crime suppression efforts within Kern County and the City of Bakersfield.  Later that year, Assistant Commissioner Ellison was appointed to the 911 Advisory Board by Governor Gavin Newsom.  

Prior to joining the Department, Assistant Commissioner Ellison was part of the Washington Huskies National Championship football team in 1991.  Assistant Commissioner Ellison has four children and four grandchildren who keep him grounded.