Lt. Erica Elias Named First Female Commander of the Gilroy Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility

By Ofc. Jordan Richards, California Highway Patrol

Congratulations to Lt. Erica Elias, as she paves the way as the first female commander of the Gilroy (California) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility (CVEF) since it was built in 1985. Lt. Elias is ecstatic to give back to the community where she was raised. She graduated from Hollister High School and Gavilan College before attending the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy in 1999.

According to Lt. Elias, “If I can do this profession as a first generation born in the U.S. of Mexican parents – my first language was Spanish – then anyone can do this.”

Lt. Elias would like to motivate others to join the noble policing profession, regardless of gender. Her favorite CHP community outreach program is the El Protector Program, where she can educate the Spanish-speaking community on California laws.

“Enforcement is one way to save lives daily; through education, we can make an impact on the community we serve as well,” said Lt. Elias, describing how the CVEF educates commercial drivers on the Commercial Industry Education Program and the Farm Labor Vehicles and Passenger Vehicle Inspection Program that the Gilroy CVEF provides.

Congratulations, Lt. Elias, and welcome home.