Lockyer Names New Narcotic Bureau Chief

Christy McCampbell first woman Chief of Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement

Tuesday, May 9, 2000
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced that Christy A. McCampbell has been named Chief of the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), the first woman to hold that position.

In 1974, after serving for three years as a patrol officer and detective with the San Diego Police Department, McCampbell became the first female Special Agent employed by the California DOJ. In 1984, she was promoted to the position of Special Agent Supervisor, in 1987 she was named Commander of the Napa County Narcotic Task Force, and in 1988, she was promoted to Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the DOJ Statewide Major Fraud Unit. McCampbell has served as the SAC of the San Jose Regional BNE office since 1990, which includes supervising more than 100 narcotics officers in the San Jose BNE office and in seven narcotics task forces in six counties.

In 1999, McCampbell became the first woman to serve as President of the California Narcotic Officers' Association (CNOA), a position in which she represented 7,000 law enforcement members, administered the association's $2 million budget, and directed training and education programs as well as two related non-profit foundations. Prior to serving as CNOA President, McCampbell served in many capacities on their executive board for more than 15 years.

"Christy McCampbell has been a leader in California's efforts to fight drug trafficking and protect public safety," Lockyer said. "Christy has excelled in a variety of leadership positions over many years both within our department and with other organizations, and she is the best person to lead our Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement."

As Chief of the BNE, McCampbell leads more than 380 DOJ Special Agents working in nine statewide regional offices, 35 regional narcotics task forces staffed with DOJ agents and officers from local law enforcement agencies, in addition to a number of specialized BNE programs.

Christy McCampbell holds a Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice from CSU, San Diego, a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, and a Juris Doctorate Degree from San Francisco Law School. She is also a graduate of the FBI Academy.

"I am honored to take the reins of the oldest continuing narcotic enforcement agency in the country. Having been a narcotic agent for the majority of my career has well prepared me to accept this responsibility," said McCampbell. "Attorney General Bill Lockyer has certainly proven that there is no longer a glass ceiling to be broken in the Department of Justice."

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