Attorney General Lockyer Names Diana Machen Assistant Chief of the California Bureau of Investigation

Highest Rank Attained by a Female Special Agent in the Department

Monday, October 4, 1999
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO -- Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced that Diana L. Machen has been appointed Assistant Chief of the California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigation (CBI), making her the highest ranking female Special Agent in California Department of Justice (DOJ) history.

For the past two years, Machen has served as the Special Agent in Charge of the Sacramento Regional DOJ Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) office. Prior to joining DOJ as a Special Agent in 1985, Machen served ten years as an Investigator with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. From August, 1988, to October, 1997, she served as Special Agent Supervisor in the Sacramento Regional BNE office, supervising a number of drug task forces, including the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) where she initiated the CAMP Reconnaissance and Arrest Teams, and the San Joaquin County Combined Rural and County Narcotic Enforcement Team (CRACNET).

"The CBI provides top flight investigative services for the people of California," Lockyer said. "Such an organization requires the very best leadership. Diana Machen is the best person to help lead law enforcement into the next century and greater success."

The CBI provides investigative assistance to the Attorney General and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in complex or multi-jurisdictional cases, and cases involving conflicts of interest. The CBI also houses intelligence programs which track criminal activity by organized crime, gangs and criminal extremist groups. As Assistant Chief, Machen serves directly under CBI Chief Martin Ryan and oversees all investigative activities conducted by approximately 100 Special Agents and Supervisors assisted by 30 support staff in regional offices in Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego. Special Agents in Charge of each regional office report to Machen.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the DOJ team," said Machen. "And I look forward to the challenges of this new assignment."

Special Agent Machen was sworn in as Assistant Chief during a private ceremony on September 30th and assumed her new responsibilities on October 1st. Prior to Machen's appointment, the highest rank attained by a female Special Agent in the California DOJ was Senior Special Agent in Charge.

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