After unexpected retirement head of the California Highway Patrol, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Sean Dury as the agency’s new chief.

“A CHP veteran, Commissioner Dury has dedicated his career to serving the people of California, beginning as a cadet decades ago,” Newsom said in a statement. announcing the appointment of Dura. “His leadership, extensive experience and dedication will continue to serve California well, and I thank him for taking on this new role.”

Dury, 48, of Galt, has served as state police commissioner since January and was deputy commissioner before that. He has been with the agency since 1998 in a variety of roles, including commercial vehicle unit commander, academy instructor and cadet.

He will oversee a law enforcement agency with more than 11,000 employees and an annual budget of nearly $3 million. He will also take over ongoing campaign to recruit 1,000 CHP officers over the next few years to fill vacancies created during the COVID-19 pandemic when the agency temporarily closed its training academy in West Sacramento.

Dury said he was “humbled and honoured” by the opportunity.

Dury will replace Amanda Rae, who announced her retirement in December 2022. Rae was the first woman and the second black elected to lead the agency. Before leaving, she worked at the CHP for 32 years.