The formation of the Central Coast Chapter in 1979 was due to the need to shorten the travel distance to attend meetings. As the majority of the agencies on the Central Coast were small in nature, the need to limit time away from the office was a necessity. There was a definite need to localize the meetings and increase participation.
Founding members included: Jan Burns, Sylvia Burnside, Izzy Flores, Joanne Hopkins, Frank Mackey, Mary Myatt, Becky Robles, Tom Stewart, & Darleen Thompson.
Many of these members have since retired from law enforcement, and some have remained active within CLEARS.
Past Presidents
| Date | Past President |
| 2021-present | Beth Ward, Oxnard PD |
| 2016-2020 | Victoria O'Keeffe, San Luis Obispo SO |
| 2014-2015 | Jennifer Chastain, Lompoc PD |
| 2013 | Nanette Pipitone-Pennock, Arroyo Grande PD |
| 2011-2012 | Mary Sponhaltz, Morro Bay PD |
| 2008-2010 | Ann Jutras, Atascadero PD |
| 2006 - 2008 | Jennifer Chastain, Lompoc PD |
| 2005 - 2006 | Karen Thomas, Simi Valley PD |
| 2003 - 2004 | Gene Hartin - Santa Barbara SO |
| 2001 - 2002 | Donna Klevesahl - Santa Maria PD |
| 1999 - 2000 | Karen Thomas - Simi Valley PD |
| 1997 - 1998 | Sherry Lange - Pismo Beach PD |
| 1995 - 1996 | Joanne Hopkins - Santa Maria PD |
| 1993 - 1994 | Gail Adamo - Santa Barbara PD |
| 1990 - 1992 | Mary Myatt - Ventura SO |
| 1989 - 1990 | Sylvia Burnside - Simi Valley PD |
| 1987 - 1989 | Gail Adamo - Santa Barbara PD |
| 1986 - 1987 | Tom Stewart - San Luis Obispo PD |
| 1985 - 1986 | Melinda Cabral - UC Santa Barbara PD |
| 1984 - 1985 | Patti Wilhelm - Cal Poly PD |
| 1983 - 1984 | Fred Ballard - Grover Beach PD |
| 1982 - 1983 | Marv Houghton - Ventura PD |
| 1981 - 1982 | Mary Myatt - Ventura SO |
| 1980 - 1981 | Frank Mackey - Santa Barbara PD |
| 1979 - 1980 | Joanne Hopkins - Santa Maria PD |
LIFETIME & HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS
| Jennifer Chastain | Chapter Lifetime Member | Lompoc PD |
| Margaret Tobin | Chapter Lifetime Member | Oxnard PD |
| Ana Matosian | Chapter Lifetime Member | Ventura PD |
| Mary Myatt | State & Chapter Lifetime Member | Ventura Co. SO |
| Darleen Thompson | State & Chapter Lifetime Member | Santa Barbara Co. SO |
| Joanne Hopkins | State & Chapter Lifetime Member | Santa Cruz PD |
| Karen Thomas | State & Chapter Lifetime Member | Simi Valley PD |
| Joy Elliott | Chapter Lifetime Member | Morro Bay PD |
| Gene Hartin | State & Chapter Lifetime Member | Santa Barbara Co. SO |