
Assistant Commissioner, Staff
Assistant Commissioner Ryan Okashima is a 30-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and has earned numerous awards and commendations during his professional career with the Department. In November 2020, Assistant Commissioner Okashima was selected by CHP Commissioner Amanda L. Ray to serve as the Department’s Assistant Commissioner, Staff. With an operational budget of over 2.8 billion dollars, and as the primary law enforcement agency for the State of California, he serves as the Department’s Fiscal Officer, and provides Executive level oversight of the Department’s four administrative Divisions, the Office of Employee Safety and Assistance, and the Office of Risk Management.
Commissioner Okashima’s vast experience includes diverse assignments throughout the state and he has been assigned to several CHP Headquarters commands. Commissioner Okashima served as the tactical training program lieutenant at the CHP Academy and also served as the commander of the Dignitary Protection Section, which is responsible for providing protection to the State Constitutional Officers including the Governor and First Family. As the commander of the CHP Office of Employee Relations, Commissioner Okashima was the CHP’s labor relations officer responsible for overseeing labor issues for 12 different employee labor organizations representing CHP employees.
Prior to being selected as Assistant Commissioner, Staff, Commissioner Okashima served as the Personnel and Training Division Chief where he oversaw the CHP Academy, Professional Training Section, Human Resources Section, Selection Standards and Examinations Section, and the Organizational Development Section. Commissioner Okashima was responsible for the development of training programs supported by the most contemporary adult learning concepts, which included the professional development of employees at all ranks within the organization. Additionally, through broad-based recruitment efforts and a strict adherence to a merit-based selection process, Commissioner Okashima served as a resource to the CHP on varying examinations, selection, and personnel transactions issues.
Throughout his career, Commissioner Okashima has actively engaged with the communities he 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 Okashima is an Advisory Committee member for the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training; and a member of Governor Newsom’s California Leads Diversity Task Force. Commissioner Okashima earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from San Jose State University, completed the University of California, Davis, Labor-Management Relations program, and graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.