California Highway Patrol

Note: This site is being run and updated by a retired CHP officer, 32 years with the Department. KA4993
California Highway Patrol (79 years old).
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is a state agency that acts as the state police force of California. It was originally created in 1929 as a highway patrol agency to ensure road safety in California but assumed greater responsibility with the passage of time. It now also provides security police services while protecting state buildings and facilities, conducts criminal investigations, and assists local law enforcement agencies. It is the largest State Police agency in the country with about 9800 sworn officers, according to data provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Highway Patrol duties:
The agency has specific jurisdiction over all California state routes, U.S. Highways, Interstate highways freeways in the state and all public roads in unincorporated parts of a county. Local police or the local sheriff's department having a contract with an incorporated city have responsibility to investigate and enforce traffic laws in incorporated cities. However, the CHP can still enforce traffic laws on any public road anywhere in the state regardless if it is in an incorporated or unincorporated city.
Its officers enforce the California Vehicle Code (including laws against speeding), pursue fugitives spotted on the highways, and attend to all significant obstructions and accidents within their jurisdiction. They patrol in various vehicles including Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, Chevrolet Camaros, BMW R1150RT-P motorcycles, Cessna 206 airplanes, and helicopters which include Bell OH-58As, Bell 206L-IVs and Eurocopter AS-350B-3s. The CHP has a fleet of 73 Chevrolet Camaros, which are used for commercial vehicle patrols.
CHP officers are responsible for investigating and disposing of car accidents, debris, dead animals and other impediments to the free flow of traffic. They are often the first government officials at the scene of an accident (or obstruction), and in turn summon paramedics, tow truck drivers or Caltrans personnel. The CHP files traffic collision reports for state highways and within unincorporated areas.
Special responsibilities
The CHP also publishes data on traffic accidents in California from a database called SWITRS (Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System).
After the September 11, 2001 attacks the CHP became responsible for securing and patrolling a number of potential terrorist targets in the State of California. These sites include the Bay Bridge, nuclear power plants, government buildings, and key infrastructure sites. They also maintain a SWAT team on 24 hour stand-by to respond to any terrorist activity.
In September 2005 the CHP sent resources to the Gulf Coast to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Before the United States National Guard arrived, the CHP had four patrol helicopters over New Orleans, more than forty vehicles on the ground, and more than 200 officers and other staff, including a SWAT team, deployed in New Orleans
One of the California Highway Patrol's additional responsibilities includes a governor protection detail.
Organization
The CHP is led by the Commissioner, who is appointed by the Governor of California. The Deputy Commissioner is also appointed by the Governor and the Assistant Commissioners are appointed by the Commissioner.
In 2004 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Mike Brown as CHP commissioner, succeeding Dwight O. "Spike" Helmick.
February 12, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Joseph A. Farrow as commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) effective March 1, 2008.

Business, Transportation & Housing Agency - Dale E. Bonner

Commissioner of the Highway Patrol - Joseph A. Farrow
Deputy Commissioner of the Highway Patrol
Office of Internal Affairs
Office of Employee Relations
Office of the Special Representative
Office of Media Relations
Assistant Commissioner, Field Operations - Arthur Anderson
Northern Division
Valley Division
Golden Gate Division
Central Division
Southern Division
Border Division
Coastal Division
Inland Division
Protective Services Division
Office of Air Operations
State Terrorism Threat Assessment Center

Assistant Commissioner, Staff Operations - K.P. Green
Administrative Services Division
Departmental Training Division
Information Management Division
Enforcement Services Division
Personnel Management Division
Planning & Analysis Division

The CHP has a unit called the Mexico Liaison Unit, which consists of six officers and a sergeant, all of whom are fluent in Spanish. It is part of the Border Division. The purpose of this unit is to work with Mexican authorities to locate and recover stolen US vehicles in Mexico, identify the thieves and ensure their prosecution in California or Mexico, and to provide assistance to Mexican authorities.
The CHP, however, has no jurisdiction in Mexico.

Traditions

CHP uniforms are traditionally khaki-colored with campaign hat and blue and gold trouser stripe. The dress uniform includes a green jacket and bright blue tie (motorcycle officers wear a bow tie), and cold weather and utility uniforms are dark blue BDU's. Standard patrol vehicles are required by state law to be painted black with white doors and roof, with a replica of the CHP badge on the sides and the words HIGHWAY PATROL on the back. Special low profile Chevrolet Camaros joined the CHP fleet in 2002. Painted white and sporting a thin, flat LED light bar, rather than the traditional seven-pod Federal Signal Vision unit, these pursuit cars were designated for enforcement of trucking laws, but are also used for general patrol duties.

The California Highway Patrol is one of the few organizations to continue to use the older toll-free "Zenith 1-2000" number. With the falling cost of telephone area code 800, 888 etc. numbers, most organizations have chosen to switch to one of the newer numbers and discontinue use of the Zenith service which requires operator assistance.

Like any statewide law enforcement agency, the CHP has developed certain colorful traditions such as its own system of radio codes widely adopted by local agencies. The most important is 11-99 (officer needs emergency assistance or officer down).In 1981, a charitable foundation (the 11-99 Foundation) was founded to provide benefits and scholarships to officers and their families.

Duty Weapons

The current standard issue firearm for CHP officers is the Smith & Wesson Model 4006 TSW in .40 S&W. Each CHP patrol car is equipped with a Remington 870 Police 12-gauge shotgun and a Colt AR-15A2 in .223.

Patrol Cars

The current patrol vehicle is the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

Websites

California Highway Patrol official website
http://www.chp.ca.gov/

CHP Traffic Incident Information
http://cad.chp.ca.gov/

CHP Discussion Forum Website
http://www.chpforums.com/

The 11-99 Foundation
http://www.chp1199.org/