08/26/2026
Congratulations!
WELCOME TO COASTAL DIVISION, CHIEF MIKE ALVAREZ!
The California Highway Patrol Coastal Division is proud to welcome our new Commander, Chief Mike Alvarez, who brings extensive leadership, operational, and administrative experience to the Central Coast.
Chief Alvarez has served with the CHP for more than two decades and has been a Chief since 2022. Most recently, he served as Chief of the CHP’s Departmental Affairs Division, overseeing Internal Affairs, Risk Management, Public Records, and Audits and Inspections. He now leads the Coastal Division, providing operational oversight of CHP offices from Santa Cruz County to Ventura County.
Chief Alvarez holds a Bachelor of Science from UCLA, a Master of Arts from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is currently pursuing his doctorate at Pepperdine University. He has also completed executive leadership programs through USC Price and Cornell University.
In addition to his law enforcement career, Chief Alvarez is an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia, a guest lecturer at the USC Price Center on National Defense and Public Safety, and teaches Homeland Security and Terrorism courses at a local community college.
Chief Alvarez’s vision for the Central Coast is centered on partnership, transparency, integrity, and proactive protection.
“To the communities of the Central Coast, your safety is our ultimate priority. We are committed to transparency, integrity, and working together to build a safer, stronger California.”
Please join us in welcoming Chief Mike Alvarez to Coastal Division! We look forward to the leadership, experience, and commitment he brings to the communities we proudly serve.
