Change in command at Merced CHP office

A new face from Santa Cruz will lead the California Highway Patrol in Merced after the previous commander, Malkiat “Sam” Samra, was promoted to the Central Division office in Fresno.

Capt. Brian Hawkins, coming from the CHP office in Santa Cruz, began his new post last week. He brings 18 years of experience with the law enforcement agency to Merced, along with an eagerness to integrate himself into the community.

Samra took a position as the assistant chief of the Central Division, based in Fresno. Samra came to Merced from India, his birthplace, at age 10. He had been commander of the Merced office since 2013 and has dedicated nearly 35 years to the CHP.

In his new position, Samra occasionally will work in Merced County as he oversees commands throughout the Valley. “Merced County is home, and it always will be home,” Samra said.

“Sam Samra is one of most standup guys I ever met,” said Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke. “I’m sorry to see him leave, but I understand the need for promotion, and I look forward to the opportunity to working with the new captain, Brian Hawkins.”

Hawkins, 45, grew up in Sonoma County and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco. He began his CHP career in 1999 in Santa Cruz. From there, he worked in Marin County, Santa Rosa, North Sacramento and the CHP headquarters in Sacramento, where he remained for more than eight years. During his time in Sacramento, he was promoted twice.

“That gave me a good perspective of the department,” Hawkins said. “I was able to see firsthand the direction and vision the department has. It gave me that 50,000-feet level of viewpoint. ”

From there, Hawkins returned to fieldwork in northern Sacramento and Santa Cruz before taking his job in Merced and being promoted to captain. In Merced, Hawkins will oversee 100 personnel, including uniformed officers, dispatch and administrative staff. He also will be in charge of operations and the “business” side.

Hawkins said a couple of things about the Merced CHP stand out to him, such as having a dispatch center that supports outlying offices and the fact that the officers are ingrained in the community.

“They’re in the community,” he said. “Their kids go to the schools. It’s their home. Some offices are a lot more transitional.”

Hawkins, who has four children, said he plans to move his family to Merced County.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 6:31 PM with the headline "Change in command at Merced CHP office."